Community meeting identifies local increase in financial stress

April 7th, 2011
[by David Armstrong]

The monthly Community Whanau meeting yesterday found itself paying special attention to growing accounts of financial hardship being experienced by some families and individuals in the district.

The value of this regular networking meeting, attended by people representing community and health organisations, became apparent as several organisations learn more about what services and programmes others offer. Yesterday's meeting was again well attended, with 25 present and outlining what their organisation is doing and planning to do.

Groups including the Salvation Army, the Night Shelter, food banks, WINZ and the Family Service Centre spoke of more people requiring help. Probably causes include the economic recession in general, the filling up of accommodation following the Christchurch earthquake.

Sjors Brouwer, who provides budget advice through the Family Service Centre, will be running a series of budget advice seminars starting this month, following a policy decision at Community Link to refer all clients requesting their third assistance package to the budget advice service. These seminars are open to anyone interested in getting better control of their finances.

Sjors has also been accredited to supervise the Summary Installment Order system in Motueka, which offers a less painful alternative to bankruptcy for those who are no longer able to pay their debts.

It was noted that there seems to be an increasing number of people, usually single men, who have no accommodation and are sleeping rough - a worrying trend with winter coming on. All the low-end accommodation in and around Motueka is full, and the rental market is tight, thanks to people who have left Christchurch as well as seasonal workers. These people need support and have none at present.

Other items of interest were:

  • Richmond has just started its own Community and Whanau group.
  • Gaile, the Community House receptionist, has now taken on the additional role of referring inquirers to various agencies.
  • The Motueka Police have been asked several times to attend the Community Whanau meetings, but sadly have said, "We see no benefit in attending". The group tends to differ.

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