Aro Mai Housing First
Housing First is a proven, internationally recognised, approach to house and support people with a long history of homelessness. Housing First is a “Whatever it takes” model that focuses on quickly moving people from homelessness into housing then providing wrap around support.
Warm, safe, affordable housing that fits the needs of each person is key, along with regular home visits, to ensure people sustain their tenancy. The benefits include increased housing stability and dramatically improved wellbeing and quality of life.
Mā te mahi ngātahi, tātou ka ora.
When we work together, we may all be well.
Aro Mai is to turn and face this way, to take heed and pay attention.
Aro Mai invites individuals, groups and organisations to collaborate and work together to end homelessness in the Wellington Region.
Keri and Riley. Photo by Mary Hutchinson.
Housing First is a government funded initiative. Read more about it on the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development website.
Housing First is for those people who have been experiencing homelessness for 12 months or more, who have been sleeping rough, and who have multiple and complex needs.
If you would like to discuss if someone meets the criteria and may be suitable for our Housing First service, please contact us.
Success Stories
Here we share the amazing stories of Hapi and Meda. Both stories speak to the life-changing power of what can happen when our homeless whānau receive safe and fit-for-purpose housing, first.
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. 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.
We first met Meda in 2016 when she came to DCM - pregnant, and rough sleeping on the streets of Wellington. It has been a long journey for Meda – but she is in a good place now, in her own home, and doing well.
Read more of Meda’s story here.
Information for landlords:
If you are a landlord or Community Housing Provider keen to jump on board the DCM waka, we’d love to hear from you!
Our Housing First team can offer landlords a “no hassles” service - and you will be providing a whare for a person who really needs it.
If you are a landlord or property developer and have properties to rent, we would love to hear from you. We will find you tenants and manage your property, working with you in the following ways:
We guarantee the rent
We do not charge a monthly management fee
We work alongside tenants, visiting at least weekly to quickly address any problems
We take responsibility for your property, knowing the importance of cleanliness and maintenance
We know the people we work with really well and support them so they can be good tenants and neighbours. We keep in touch with you so you know what’s happening and are just a phone call away if you need to talk.
Best of all, you can make a real difference to homelessness in Wellington. This is a mutually-beneficial opportunity with the potential to transform lives.
Our Property Procurement Officer Shaun Monaghan would love to hear from you - call him on 022 648 5459 or contact by email.
Our Manahautū (CE) Natalia Cleland and Dwell Housing Trust’s CE Elizabeth Lester.