Pacific trust opens 21-unit transitional housing complex in South Auckland

Associate Minister of Social Housing Alfred Ngaro officially opened a new transitional housing complex in South Auckland today. Photo / File

Families struggling to find a home have been given a lifeline in a new transitional housing complex officially opened in South Auckland today.

The premises, on Redoubt Rd in Manukau Heights, offers a 21-unit complex that will help up to 84 families each year.

The units are made up of a variety of one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom temporary homes.

The space has been opened by the Penina Health Trust, based in Manurewa. The group has been around for about 15 years, offering mainly family support services and mental health services for both children and young people within the wider South Auckland community.

Last year, the trust became the first Pasifika group to become a community housing provider.

At an official opening ceremony in Auckland today, Associate Minister for Social Housing Alfred Ngaro - also the Minister for Pacific Peoples - praised the team at Penina for their continued work to help the community.

"Pacific people represent about 13 per cent of the housing register and a quarter of social housing tenants, so it's really important that we also have Pacific representation amongst providers.''

Ngaro said transitional housing was one of the Government's most innovative ideas in the Social Housing reform programme - one that was making a difference in many people's lives.

"The transitional housing model not only ensures that people have access to warm, safe and dry accommodation, but also provides tailored support.''

Tenants involved in the programme get advice and support in a number of areas, including cultural and pastoral support, cooking lessons and how to create and stick to a budget.

The aim is that tenants, while staying at such transitional housing homes, can get enough time to look for alternative and more permanent housing and learning to sustain it.