Kawerau social housing project taking first steps forward with support from Trust Horizon
The first phase of an ambitious social housing project in the heart of Kawerau is set to begin, with the approval of a $76,881 grant from Trust Horizon.
The project is spearheaded by Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau Hauora (TKKH), a leading iwi-mandated and community provider established in 1996. With over 50 services covering social, health and education, the organisation provides wrap-around support for those experiencing hardship in Kawerau and the wider Eastern Bay of Plenty.
In December 2023, TKKH funded the purchase of 119–121 Onslow Street in Kawerau, in a move to expand the organisation’s support, services and capabilities. The property will provide a base for kaimahi to share mātauranga Māori and traditional healing therapies, along with financial literacy and other educational courses.
TKKH also aspires to build as many as 20 units on the Onslow Street site. Currently in the planning stages, these healthy homes aim to offer whānau a safe space for transitional housing, while TKKH supports their journey to finding a permanent accommodation solution.
“Our housing strategy started as many as 7 or 8 years ago, and the purchase of Onslow Street is a big step on this journey,” explains Merehira Savage, TKKH Chair. “Within our housing continuum, we want to support a wide spectrum of whānau. From whānau who are struggling, through to whānau who are in the rental space but want to become homeowners, and/or want to build on their own whenua.”
The first step of this bold vision is to upgrade the site’s existing building, which will provide a base for kaimahi to share their teachings within the community. The $76,881 grant from Trust Horizon will cover this phase, including electrical work, heat pumps and upgrades to the building’s power supply.
TKKH believes the return to ancestral knowledge and traditional practices is a critical factor in healing, identity and connection for the community – and a warm, safe and dry space to share these teachings is core to the organisation’s wrap-around approach.
“We’re here to get to the heart of people’s wellbeing, and get them started on a positive journey to independence,” says Savage. “Our kaimahi are so passionate about this work. They know that if they can help even just one person, they’ve made a difference.”
TKKH’s work aligns closely with Trust Horizon’s own vision and mission. “We’re committed to investing in transformational outcomes for our community, and enabling pride, prosperity and people,” says Edwina O’Brien, Trust Horizon Trustee. “This is wholly consistent with the important work of Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau Hauora. We’re thrilled to help facilitate the first step of many in this exciting project.”
While work is getting started on the existing building’s upgrades, conversations are underway on funding for phase two of the project. Concept plans have already been drawn for 12 homes on the Onslow Street Site, and options are being explored to add as many as 8 more.
“We’d like to thank our kaumatua and our kaimahi for supporting TKKH to ensure this vision is starting to take place” says Savage. “We also can’t stop thanking Trust Horizon for their support on this journey. We look forward to opening the doors at Onslow Street, and we hope the Trust will be standing right next to us when we do.”
Find out more about Trust Horizon’s community funding here.