One Rotorua employer encourages others to employ homeless

Homeless man Jace Carlson has found employment working for a local builder, Aaron Brown. Photo / Stephen Parker

Since Rotorua's night shelter opened its doors four weeks ago eight of Rotorua's homeless have found employment and one of the employers says he's "all in for getting other people to support these guys".

Aaron Brown, the owner of AB builders, said he never really saw it as a big deal employing a homeless person.

"He's actually a really good guy, he's made some bad decisions in life, but, hey, so have I."

Brown said he simply got talking to the organiser of the night shelter, Tiny Deane, on the sidelines at a children's football game.

"I said to him that last year I tried to partner with other organisations because I was willing to train up someone who just needed that chance.

"He said he had a tidy-looking guy who would work hard, he just had nowhere to live."

Jace Carlson, who Deane was referring to, had been homeless for a year.

"At the end of the day everyone goes home, I can't judge him on where that is," Brown said.

"He shows up and he works hard, sometimes he's the one growling me for not giving him enough work.

"I enjoy helping people out, it's rewarding."

Brown said working alongside Carlson and talking to him about Rotorua's homeless population had given him a different perspective.

The night shelter gives the homeless an opportunity to shower and use a washing machine and dryer.

"For lack of a better description, it stops them looking homeless," Brown said.

"There is still a bit of a stigma around homelessness, and so it is important for them to have a good appearance.

"I'm all in for getting other people to help support these guys and having Tiny there gives extra security because he's not going to drag them along if they aren't trying themselves."