Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
New transitional Tenancy Manager
Steph Hills
We are delighted to welcome Steph to TCHT as our new Transitional Housing Tenancy Manager.
Twelve new homes almost completed in Gate Pa
28th April 2021
TCHT has 12 new one-bedroom homes in Gate Pa due for completion at the end of May 2021, thanks to a generous $500,000 grant from TECT.
General Manager, Jacqui Ferrel says “We are creating a safe, warm and affordable place for people who are experiencing housing hardship, often homelessness. These types of tenants often cannot afford suitable housing – let alone housing that is specifically designed for their disability or chronic health condition”.
The balance of this project is being funded with favourable loan arrangements with BayTrust. As a registered community housing provider, TCHT can access government rent subsidies that mean that the eligible tenants pay a reduced rent of 25% of their income. “The subsidised rent makes the housing affordable for the tenant and means that they can spend their money on other necessities for quality of life. We also know that living in warm, dry homes improves their health outcomes as well”.
“Tauranga has a severe shortage of small dwellings that are suitable for our clients and the situation is predicted to significantly worsen”. Migration and population growth in Tauranga coupled with the existing and growing older population of retirees adds to the pressures on suitable small dwelling availability. While these new houses will only make a small dent in the waiting list for housing, the twelve tenants moving in are very happy to have new homes that will be affordable, warm, safe and healthy for many years to come.
Check out our progress on Facebook
Funding from Trust Horizon
Funding from Trust Horizon set to transform heating for Community housing
15th April 2021
72 vulnerable Eastern Bay residents will soon be living in warmer and drier homes, thanks to a $100,000 grant from Trust Horizon.
Tauranga Community Housing Trust (TCHT) applied for the funding, and on March 25th received approval for a grant totalling more than 40% of the total project cost. The funds from Trust Horizon will go towards fitting all 72 homes with a heat pump, and upgrading 55 electrical switchboards.
As a community housing provider, TCHT isn’t required to meet the healthy homes heating standards until July 2023. However, Trust Horizon’s contribution means the organisation has been able to fast-track the project, and now aim to install the heat pumps as soon as possible. “We’re extremely grateful for and humbled by the grant,” says TCHT General Manager, Jacqui Ferrel. “This is a significant project, and the size of the Trust’s contribution means we can start improving as many houses as we can, as quickly as we can.”
TCHT purchased the 72 one-bedroom units from the Whakatāne District Council in 2017, as part of their mission to provide housing to those with a serious need. Since purchasing the units, TCHT has undertaken a series of major upgrades to ensure they provide a healthy environment for low-income tenants well into the future.
Having already fitted the homes with new insulation and moisture barriers, heating was TCHT’s next priority. “The majority of the homes’ tenants rely on superannuation or health-related benefits,” says Ferrel. “It’s important we support their health and wellbeing – particularly those who suffer from respiratory conditions. We hope that warm, dry, healthy homes will mean fewer doctors’ visits, and improved health outcomes across the board.” After exploring a number of heating solutions, heat pumps emerged as the most efficient and cost-effective solution.
“We’re really pleased to be able to contribute to improving TCHT’s local community housing, which will fundamentally improve the lives of some of the Eastern Bay’s most vulnerable residents,” says Trust
Funding from Trust Horizon set to transform heating for Community housing.docx
Horizon Trustee, Merrin Stables. “For tenants, particularly those on a fixed low income, the combination of reduced power bills and warmer homes will make a real difference.”