There is a difference between living, just living and just existing. Many of the people the Missions work with are just existing on the insufficient income they receive – whether that is a benefit or a wage. There has been an increase in the working poor, with people on zero contracts, and/or where the costs of living, especially housing costs have increased to such a point where there is very little money left over for anything else. Many people are just existing from day to day.
Housing costs account for 45% of expenditure for low-income households.[1] If you are renting, it is likely that you spend a higher proportion of your income on housing costs compared with those that own their own homes.[2] The number of households that spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs increased from less than 20% of renters in 1988 to over 40% in 2019.[3] The top 20% of households spend the lowest proportion of the outgoings on housing costs, while people who receive benefits spend the most.[4] Many people are just existing and struggling to meet the costs of housing.
House prices have risen at a faster rate than wages over the past five years[5] with the median house price in Auckland in mid-2020 being 11.5 times the median household income.[6] Because of rising house prices, home ownership rates have fallen to the lowest rate since 1953.[7] The Māori home ownership rates is 28%, Pacific 19% and European 57%.[8] The cost of renting is so high that overcrowding is common, and many houses are poorly insulated, damp, and unhealthy.[9] These factors and housing insecurity contribute to poor health outcomes, stress, and in some cases violence. When COVID-19, or other easily transmissible diseases are added in, this increases these already high health risks. Everyone should live in a safe, secure, affordable warm home and have enough to eat.
Source: WEAG, Whakamana Tāngata – Restoring Dignity to Social Security in New Zealand, 2019, p29
There are just not enough houses to go around and the number of households on the social housing register has grown from 3,549 in March 2015 to 26,664 in June 2022 – an increase of 651%.[10]
Source: MSD & MHUD statistics
Many people on the social housing register are living in emergency housing, most commonly motels. These whānau are among the most vulnerable members of our community and life in an emergency housing motel is arguably better than living out of a car. In reality though, life in an emergency housing motel may mean you are surrounded by gang and drug activity, crime and violence.
We as a church need to use our resources wisely and address the housing crisis. Airedale Property Trust, Wesley Community Action and Christchurch Methodist Mission have built houses and rent these to households off the social housing register. Wrap around support services help these whānau to maintain their tenancies.
“My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.”
Isaiah 32:18 NIV
We acknowledge and appreciate what is already been achieved, however, we believe that Te Hāhi Weteriana has the capacity to increase our impact by being more intentional and strategic about how we use our resources. The draft Housing Action Plan identified opportunities and specific recommendations to do this. We have the resources, skills, and capability to make a difference for whānau – to help them on their journey from just existing to really living.
If you would like more information about how you can support the Methodist Alliance, or the Methodist Missions, please check out their websites or contact me.
Carol Barron, National Coordinator
03 375 0512 | 027 561 9164 | Carol@MethodistAlliance.org.nz
[1] WEAG, Whakamana Tāngata – Restoring Dignity to Social Security in New Zealand, 2019, p39 [2] NZ Statistics, Housing in Aotearoa 2020, p11 [3] Ibid [4]NZ Statistics, Housing in Aotearoa 2020, p52 [5] NZ Statistics, Housing in Aotearoa 2020, p11 [6] Ibid [7] WEAG, Whakamana Tāngata – Restoring Dignity to Social Security in New Zealand, 2019, p39 [8] Ibid [9]Ibid [10] https://www.hud.govt.nz/research-and-publications/statistics-and-research/the-government-housing-dashboard/