About us
Example of a hand-up
In 2002, the Wellington Night Shelter, established on Taranaki Street in 1968, started a major fundraising campaign to improve the facility.
Although the building was structurally sound, it required substantial maintenance, and the aim was to complete that maintenance upgrade to provide 23 beds of dormitory-style accommodation and 22 beds for short- to long-term hostel accommodation.
The total cost of the upgrade project was $1.4m and funding was obtained from sources including The Southern Trust, Trust House Charitable Trust, The Sutherland Self Help Trust Board, The New Zealand Community Trust and T G McCarthy Public Trust. The Wellington City Council also granted $250,000, but the Night Shelter was still short of their goal.
That's when HNZC stepped in with a Housing Innovation Fund loan of $250,000.
About the HIF Loan:
The 25-year Housing Innovation Fund loan is interest-free for the first 10 years. At the end of the 10-year interest-free period, subject to a review, and provided the loan has not been repaid in full (as planned by the Trust), the Trust will pay interest on the residual loan amount. The interest rate charged will be the variable or fixed rate applicable at that time.
The loan is secured by way of a first charge registered mortgage, in favour of the Corporation, over the lease of the property at Taranaki Street. Wellington City Council's lease to the Night Shelter Trust is for 63 years at a peppercorn rental.
The Wellington Night Shelter's governing Trust Board includes representatives from seven social service agencies including Catholic Social Services, Downtown Community Ministry, The Salvation Army, Presbyterian Social Services, Wesley Wellington Mission, The Society of St Vincent De Paul and Wellington Prisoners Aid and Rehabilitation Society.
Although it may be difficult to see from our desks, we are making a difference by providing a decent roof over people's heads.
