Nelson Weekly Locally Owned and Operated
tuesday 15 August 2017
Hospital buggy service needs help
2017 MITRE 10 CUP DRAW
devon rolls to china
LIFTOUT - Page 16-17
page 25
‘Give us a chance’ page 8
Kate Russell
Marie Hill’s little boys have never known what home is. Every day she scours the Trade Me property listings, in hope of finding a place to live. The 23-year-old solo mum of two has been looking for a rental property for a year, but has faced constant rejection. For now, Marie and her children, 18-month-old Ashton and five-monthold Braxton, are living at Ma’s Place in Richmond. The emergency accommodation provider has been a stable roof over their heads on and off for the past year, but Marie desperately wants a place to call their own – for the sake of her children. “My toddler doesn’t know
what home is – we are always moving.” Marie says she is restricted to applying for private rentals, as real estate companies “turn her away instantly”. “Because I’m a solo mum on a benefit. They also want references, but I’m only 23 and don’t have any. It’s a battle.” The lack of listings and price hikes are also a problem. Marie is prepared to pay up to $400 a week in rent in Nelson, Richmond or Motueka. But there have only been around 15 private rentals in her price range since she’s been looking.
SEE PAGE 2
Nelson solo mum Marie Hill, 23, and her sons Ashton, 18 months, and Braxton, five months, have found respite at Ma’s Place, but are desperate for a place of their own to call home. Photo: Kate Russell
We say: Why we are focusing on good homes for all Charles Anderson Journalist
charles@nelsonweekly.co.nz
Safe and sound. It doesn’t seem like too much to ask.
It’s what every parent wants for their child - to have a place they can call home, where they can relax and settle into their formative years without fear of being cold, damp and unsettled.
Myriad research shows that having a warm and secure home impacts on every facet of a child’s life. But many take that for granted and might think that our region is immune to these
challenges. Forget about families trying to get on the property ladder – many are more worried about just finding somewhere not plagued by cold and dampness. Health outcomes, educa-
SALE!
tional outcomes, and life outcomes - they can all be traced back to having a stable living condition in a warm home.
SEE PAGE 2
SaleS Service
SAVE UP TO $1,200 ON MOBILITY SCOOTERS!
repairS rentalS Home Healthcare equipment and Mobility products
Cnr McGlashen Ave & Croucher St, Richmond Additional copies $1
Ph: 03 544 7717
100% locAlly owned And operAted
www.accessmobility.co.nz www.nelsonweekly.co.nz