For immediate release
Tuesday, 11 December 2007

Local charity Methodist Mission Northern expresses concern over council plans to break affordable housing contract

Statement from John Murray, Executive Director, Methodist Mission Northern.

Methodist Mission Northern, a charity with a long history of involvement in supporting individuals and families facing housing difficulties, is concerned that a creative initiative to bring affordable homes within the reach of ordinary Aucklanders might not proceed.

John Murray says the model, involving New Zealand Housing Trust (formerly New Zealand Housing Foundation), McConnell Property Ltd, and the Auckland City Council, offered very real hope to organisations involved in housing that there are possibilities for shared responsibility when it comes to supporting families in need of housing in the community.

“The project seemed to be such a wonderful way of addressing a real community need through a creative partnership between a charity, a developer and an elected local body. This is a particularly sad situation given the issues associated with housing affordability and homelessness in Auckland city. ”

“Now, here we were on the threshold of a great initiative that could be held out to the world as an example of a caring community, and the funding is at risk of being cut by two thirds. There appears to be little logic or compassion in the suggestion being put before the Council.”

“New Zealand is going to need creative and innovative solutions to ensure that a real home becomes possible for all. Auckland City Council has the perfect opportunity to demonstrate leadership on an issue which is becoming of increasing concern to our community.”

Murray adds that Methodist Mission Northern, an organisation involved in various activities which support the needs of people with housing difficulties, or in many cases people who are homeless, will watch this recent development with interest and concern.

ENDS

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