NEWS

FRIDAY 10 MARCH 2023

This month our Global Business Director Dr Bernadette Pinnell and New Zealand CEO Chris Trypas led a tour by the Urban Development Institute of New Zealand UDINZ of the Westlight Mixed Tenure and Transit-oriented urban development in Glen Eden, Auckland.

Dr Pinnell has been involved in the project since its inception. 

The six-star Lifemark development has a mix of a mix of low-cost community housing, KiwiBuild affordable housing and private housing. There are 173 one-and-two-bedroom apartments and seven townhouses across two towers, as well as a community centre and retail shops on the ground floor. Home in Place manages the 90 community housing units.

Dr Pinnell told the tour group that Westlight is a landmark project for several reasons. She said it sets a new benchmark in community housing in New Zealand and is an example of developments advocated by the Minister of Urban Development and the Urban Development Authority. 

“Social housing is often built on the suburban fringe. This development is best practice as it is integrated with public transport, education, community facilities, shops, and other services,” Dr Pinnell said.

“It has been a catalyst for the social and economic regeneration of Glen Eden,” she said.

“The high-quality design and fit out and its Homestar 6 accreditation are also best practice. The water and energy efficient homes and buildings are good for the environment and healthier and more affordable for all residents.” 

“The development’s funding partnership is also significant – and a new way to deliver secure, long term affordable, permanent housing.”

Westlight was funded by the Ted Manson Foundation, the Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga - Ministry of Housing and Urban Development NZ, and he ringa akiaki - Home in Place.

Mr Trypas said Westlight is an example of the model of partnership-based community housing and services that Home in Place wants to help bring to New Zealand. 

“Our place-based approach to tenancy and property management, focuses on improving the social and economic circumstances of residents and the communities in which they live,” Mr Trypas said.

“Community development activities that empower and support residents are critical to fostering social inclusion and personal development,” he said.

Our client centred approach to service delivery, relies heavily on face-to-face contact.

Health restrictions limited the ability of staff to engage with clients in the normal fashion, as well limiting maintenance contractors from performing nonessential works.

To mitigate this, in 2020 we developed our COVID Operational Response Plan (CORP) which informed our approach to working safely for tenants, staff and contractors.

This period also enabled innovation and new ways of working. Staff increased daily contact with services, agencies and tenants and provided a wide range of information through phone calls, bulk texting, newsletters, delivery of goods including medication, personal care products, groceries and hand sanitiser. Also arranging transport to enable tenants to reach essential services such as health services.

This period highlighted the strong relationship that we have with our tenants which we are delighted to see reflected in the phenomenal tenant survey response we received this year. It also emphasised the strength of the bonds between neighbours.

We are very proud of the tenants in Central Avenue for their care and efforts to keep each other safe. Also for their kaupapa working with the Maori Wardens in Otahuhu to make masks and care packages for others less fortunate than them.

MEDIA RELEASE | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021

Home in Place (previously Compass Housing NZ) has used $8,300 in grants from Auckland Council to redevelop community gardens in two of its South Auckland community housing complexes in Mangere East and Papatoetoe. 

Home in Place staff and tenants worked together to replenish existing gardens and build additional recreational spaces, seating areas, and easy access pathways to promote better usage of the gardens.

Home in Place General Manager, Dr Bernadette Pinnell, said the gardens have created a bond amongst the tenants as they tend the gardens together and create shared meals with the vegetables and herbs. Dr Pinnell said the tenants are learning about new foods and ways of cooking.

“The enhanced gardens will be a great place for tenants to grow some healthy and nutritious food, relax and  engage with others in their community,” Dr Pinnell said.

Māori and Pasifika tenants choose the plants and vegetables and Compass’ Pacifika staff were also involved in the projects.

“We have tenants from at least eight different nationalities living at the complexes,” she said.  

“Gardening brings people from a range of different backgrounds together in a meaningful way, through a shared interest.”

“Our tenants really enjoyed being involved in decision making regarding building the gardens and also learnt about ways in which the plants enhance  the environment.”

Compass funded the original installation of the gardens in 2016. The funding provided new plants and vegetables as well as material and tools to build and maintain the refurbished space. Both gardens now include a wormery and Bokashi bin bringing additional environmental awareness and benefits.