Hapi’s Story

Hapi in his own home.

Hapi is a very sociable man who enjoys company, art and gardening. He has been homeless at several different times in his life, most recently sleeping in his van. Over the years, DCM has supported Hapi in many ways – in particular with food, support around his benefit and Work and Income, and with his mental and physical health. He has seen a dentist at DCM five times; each time he has been suffering considerable pain due to numerous broken and decayed teeth. Hapi has always enjoyed finding ways to give back; those of you who have visited DCM in Lukes Lane will have seen the carving he created to thank DCM for all the support he has received.

Hapi has not always kept the best of health. Needing a hip replacement, he was told that he would not be able to have the surgery unless he had a home to return to from the hospital. Our Aro Mai Housing First team stepped up to support Hapi to find a home in the area he most wanted to settle, the Hutt Valley. And so it was that last year, Hapi was housed in a property at the Hutt which was provided by a private landlord. Dev has purchased a number of houses for whānau who DCM supports to live in.

Since then, Hapi has worked hard, transforming the property into a thriving garden where he grows potatoes, pumpkin, corn and tomatoes. He is a talented artist and many of his carvings and art works are on display in his whare, which he keeps very tidy. Hapi says it’s easy to keep the place clean when you live alone, but he also shares, “When you do get a house, you should make it the best you can”. Nearby at MIX (a mental health service offering programmes in art and wellbeing), Hapi now volunteers, sharing his artistic skills with his local community.

What does it mean for Hapi to have his own whare? “A roof over your head for starters. But more than that. It takes the worries off. I’m not having to rely on others and I can stand on my own two feet”.

And the best things about his whare? “I’m fenced in and I’m a bit off the street, so it’s quiet. And my neighbours are beautiful to me. I think it’s important to put people in the right properties. And this is the right place for me.”

Many private landlords have helped end homelessness by purchasing rental properties for taumai. Dev Singh purchased Hapi’s whare and you can read Dev's story here.

To find out more about how you can provide a home for a person we are supporting out of homelessness, please get in touch with Shaun.

Words by Matthew Mawkes. Photos by Mary Hutchinson.