Housing shortage problem for refugees

Colombian refugee families destined for Invercargill can wait up to a few months to secure a home in the city.

Red Cross volunteer programme lead Darren Frazer, of Invercargill, said it was a ‘‘challenge’’ to find housing for Colombian refugee families in Invercargill, especially homes with four-bedrooms.

‘‘There’s not enough houses for the market demand, we have a shortage of good quality homes.

‘‘We can have some [families] that find a house straight away, and others take a few months.’’

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development said Colombian refugees were housed in a mix of private rentals and public housing throughout the country when they left the resettlement centre.

The government’s commitment to delivering between 520 and 580 public housing places nationally for refugees over three years started in April 2020, the spokesperson said.

Thirty nine public housing places would be in Invercargill. Delivery of these places is under way.

Immigration New Zealand and Ministry of Housing and Urban Development do not hold records on how long it took Colombian refugee families to find housing.

The families stayed at the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre in Auckland before moving to housing in Invercargill and other parts of the country. The houses were secured for the refugee families by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, he said.

In September 2018, the government increased the refugee quota from 1000 to 1500 refugee individuals per year from 2020/21.

In the Red Cross’ current financial year, 16 refugee families are expected in Invercargill. Ten have arrived.

While at the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre the families are helped in different ways, including opening bank accounts, schooling for children and learning about New Zealand. A medical clinic is also at the centre.

The Red Cross’ storage centre in Invercargill was well stocked with donated household goods to equip homes for the refugee families, Frazer said.

Helping a refugee family move into their home was incredibly rewarding, he added.

‘‘You’re helping someone whose been through a pretty tough time.

‘‘You’re part of their journey to live in a safe place and make Invercargill their home.’’

Frazer thought about 200 volunteers had been involved with the programme in the past five years.