Hastings Medium and Long Term Housing Strategy
Aotearoa New Zealand, including the Hastings District, faces a shortage of housing. Given the worsening housing crisis and Hastings District Council’s long-term commitment to turning this situation around and providing more homes for our people, Hastings was chosen to become a pilot for the government’s place-based housing initiatives that provide suitable housing solutions for individual communities.
Through this pilot, Hastings District Council has partnered with several other agencies, organisations and stakeholders to deliver warm, dry and secure housing needed for people and whānau in Hastings. These partners include Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Ministry of Social Development, Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities, Te Puni Kōkiri, Hawke’s Bay District Health Board and other housing providers.
There is a significant pipeline of work underway to provide a mix of public housing, affordable housing, papakāinga and additional transitional housing. However, there remains a large piece of work to be done to help the growing number of people unable to access shelter in Hastings. Therefore, there was an opportunity identified to expand the partnerships and implementation of the plan for the place-based housing pilot to include options for assisting the chronically homeless.
A Collaborative Approach
“We are proud to be part of the Integrated Community Hub –
a place to care for our community’s most vulnerable people.
The Hub is built on a partnership made up of passionate people who through their caring skills, experience and resources support the safety and wellbeing of our community most in need.
As a partner, we see the Hub as an important initiative that supports our council’s efforts to ensure everyone in our community feels safe and secure. We appreciate your generous support as well to ensure the ongoing success and sustainability of the hub in Hastings.”
Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst
Hastings Church through its social service arm, Connect Community Trust, holds trusted relationships with the homeless supporting them to access the services they need. It is a relational approach based on the experience of Hastings Church over many years of working with this community and engaging with people in a way most other providers are unable to.
While acknowledging the effectiveness of the work Connect Community Trust had been doing in the community for years, it was obvious that further resourcing was necessary to ensure a sustainable future for the trust’s work. Following a discussion led by Anglican Care Waiapu and the completion of the homelessness discovery study by Hastings District Council, a historical heads of agreement was signed by Hastings Church, HDC, and Anglican Care Waiapu to develop an Integrated Community Hub, enhancing the work Connect Community Trust was already doing and providing the necessary resources to ensure an effective and sustainable solution is established in Hastings.
The tri-party working group has successfully engaged with key stakeholders across sectors, including health and housing, to create an operating model, budget, and business case garnishing broad support from organisations like MSD, Te Whatu Ora, Community Police and others. With robust governance in place, significant resources, and a solid plan in place for the next five years Connect Community Trust has started implementing an Integrated Community Hub, benefitting the most vulnerable in Hastings.
Integrated Community Hub
“Within God’s good gift of creation, we are all made in God’s image and blessed by God’s care and love. The integrated community hub in Hastings is a place where that belief is expressed by creating meaningful relationships as the foundation of love and care.”
Rt Rev Andrew Hedge, Bishop of Waiapu
The Integrated Community Hub opened its doors in August 2022. It provides a safe space, day-time facilities and individualised wrap-around support for the most vulnerable in Hastings, many of whom suffer through chronic homelessness, addiction, violence, disability, and mental health challenges.
The hub provides a place for service users to connect with service providers such as Te Whatu Ora Hawke’s Bay, Ministry of Social Development and other local agencies. This enables users to build trusting relationships and encourages personal agency through participation in person-centric positive outcomes.
DAILY SERVICES INCLUDE
• Breakfast and a Sunday lunch
• Essential supplies
• Access to lockers during the day
• Hygiene packs
• Cooking facilities
• Laundry facilities
• Advocacy and peer support
• A safe space to connect with service providers.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Currently the hub is open Monday to Saturday from 8am – 11am, Monday to Friday 2pm -6pm. Dinners are also provided Monday to Friday from 5pm to 6pm
On Sundays, the hub provides a venue for the congregation of the Hastings Church, with an inclusive shared lunch following the service.
Whilst the hub is not an overnight service, staff and volunteers work closely with organisations such as Te Taiwhenua O Heretaunga to help service users find shelter overnight.