Have a read a thoughtful New Zealand Herald article detailing the housing crisis on Waiheke Island.
CHAIRMAN’S PROGRESS REPORT
Funding
Further to my last report in November the Trust has now attracted a total of $100,000 in donations and also secured a further $470,000 in term loans from local individuals. Once we secure the full funding for the building works at 80 Waiheke Rd we have a further $25,000 donation promised.
First Project – 80 Waiheke Rd
After initial delays around access to our and neighbouring properties the Resource Consent process is now well advanced. We are looking forward to gaining Council approval this month.
Our request for a further $415,000 in building finance is currently under bank consideration. Should that not be successful we will continue to raise the necessary funds from local investors.
Next Projects
We have a conditional agreement to purchase 35 Erua Rd which comprises a 2 bedroom house on a very large section capable of taking 3 tiny houses. If we get bank funding to complete the purchase this represents immediate cash-flow and a simple building project we can undertake over the winter.
We are still seeking an operating base where we can build more sleepouts to order. As well as
providing ongoing revenue for the Trust it is hoped they will be used to house permanent residents thus providing existing property owners with some extra income, companionship and home help.
We are also planning our next fundraising events and would welcome any suggestions.
Thank you all again for your support of the Trust to date. We will keep you regularly updated on progress in addressing our island’s serious lack of affordable rental housing for permanent residents.
Regards
Paul Carew
Remembering the Housathon - Donate Today
When we first thanked everyone for there massive and impressive effort in raising funds for the Waiheke Community Housing Trust the totals where around $3,000. But when everything had finally trickled in over a number of weeks we made over $6,000.
Not only are there amazing caring people on Waiheke but there is a movement as well, propelling their good deeds to help change the lives of those in need of housing on Waiheke. Please enjoy a video produced documenting the event, it really is heart warming.
Waiheke Island renters kicked out to make room for tourists
Watch December 4th's Checkpoint interview with WCHT's own Chairman Paul Carew where he addresses bank's crushing lending policies. This is just one of many contributing factors to the housing crisis on Waiheke Island. A strongly backed community funded approach to housing must be given runway to succeed.
Art Auction Sat December 2nd 11am Artworks Quad
Some wonderful local artist have donated works to help raise funds for our first build. Come along and bid for a piece for yourself or as a present for Christmas.
Sleepout Auction Event
Raising funds for community housing by auctioning off a sleepout.
WHERE: Waiheke Living/Placemaker's Car Park.
WHEN: 15th of October 10am start, bidding begins at noon!
Building materials graciously discounted by Placemakers to create a new sleepout 3.6 by 2.7 metres. Viewing onsite from Monday the 9th of October. Come along to paint on Monday and Tuesday and be apart of this great fundraiser. To show what can be done with the sleepout, Waiheke Living will dress it Wednesday. Auction price excludes delivery.
Why are we doing this? To raise funds for our first community housing project, which is a four bedroom family home, two apartments, one of which is an accessible apartment. The Waiheke Community Housing Trust is committed to building 100 homes in ten years that provide Waiheke residents with affordable, long-term rental properties.
For more information:
email: info@wcht.org.nz
If you'd like to make a donation you can do that below, we would appreciate it.
To make a direct credit: BNZ 02 0108 0367509 000
The Community thanks you in advance!
Housathon
JOIN US, HAVE SOME FUN HELPING, BE A PART OF A STATEMENT
There is a housing crisis on Waiheke and you can make a difference by finding people to sponsor you to sleep rough on cardboard or in cars alongside other participants. Join your community at Artworks Courtyard behind the Waiheke Library on October 14th and sleep rough from 6pm on October 14th until 8am the next morning to raise funds for a section with a cottage and a neighbouring section.
On the night we will provide food, thought provoking stories, entertainment and cardboard to sleep on. Just bring yourself, sleeping bag or blankets and if you have a piece of plastic or small tarpaulin, that might be handy. You could do it with friends, even get a team of five together and aim for a target of $200.00 per person in pledges. Your night of discomfort will be rewarded by donations from friends, family, colleagues and the wonderful people of Waiheke .
Every dollar raised goes towards supporting Waihekeans into permanent homes.
TOGETHER WE CAN DO IT
REGISTER BY SENDING AN EMAIL TO: info@wcht.org.nz
"My Year With Helen" - NZ Release and Waiheke Premier
Please join us for the NZ Release of "My Year With Helen", a brilliant film by NZ director Gaylene Preston about Helen Clark's campaign for UN Secretary General.
At 6.30pm there will be bubbly and canapes at the Waiheke Community Art Gallery, a talk by Helen White, Auckland Central Labour candidate who served on Helen Clark's electorate committee and a peek at the latest Artists in Residence Retrospective.
The movie starts at the Community Cinema at 8pm.
See the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3LYpP-otgE
It is a wonderful film which has been hugely popular at festivals around the world: https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/93775273/Helen-Clark-documentary-gets-standing-ovation-at-world-premiere
Tickets $65 pricey but a fundraiser for the deposit on the Trust's first houses - which will house 13 people.
Tickets at Take Note, or book by calling Mark Inglis on 0274 420 727, you can book your ticket and pay on the night.
Sept 1st. Thanks to all those who came and supported our event. We had a full house and a fabulous movie. Aunty Helen was robbed of the role as UN Secretary General and was clearly the best person for the job.
Helen White our special guest gave a wonderful speech about her time on Helen Clark's electorate committee. Thank you so much.
Thanks also to the kind folk at Waiheke Community Art Gallery (don't miss the Artists in Resident exhibition) and Waiheke Community Cinema (don't miss "My Year With Helen" which is playing now).
Thanks to your kind support we raised over $2000 from this event towards the deposit on our first house. We are well on the way!
Finally the film's director Gaylene Preston sent the following message:
"Great greetings to the great people of the great Island of Waiheke!
I am sorry that my duties have me scheduled elsewhere tonight and hope your charity is now replenished to some extent.
Making My Year With Helen was a very challenging film to make, but most rewarding in the long run. Working at the United Nations in the media stake outs was restricting but sometimes funny as you will see in the film. I always wore my leather jacket and a hat, sometimes I wore leopard print trousers, just so that permanent staff would remember me. They'd see us coming and say - "Hey - It's the Kiwi Crew!" We were always asking for unusual things and they were often mystified by us, because we were not a news crew, and they weren't used to documentaries.
Please feel free to check out our fb page and website for more about the film.
We are stoked with the reaction so far. I hope you really enjoy it, and that it invigorates you all.
Gaylene Preston. "
The Trust Launch at the Old Blackpool School Hall
About 50 people crowded into the hall to meet those involved so far in the setting up of the Trust and to make donations and expressions of interest.
Welcome to the WCHT Blog
Check in regularly to learn more about what's going on at WCHT. We have lots of information on the way and we would love to share it with you.
Our website: www.wcht.org.nz