Homeless Day supported

Seven doors and countless volunteers told the story of the response to homelessness in Christchurch.

ŌCHT and Housing First marked World Homeless Day with a display and activities in Cathedral Square on Sunday (October 10, 2021).

The partnership’s work and stories about the people it supports were detailed on a series of information panels.

The panels were set behind open, colourful doors that lined the route outside the old Post Office building.

The panels challenged visitors to think what they would do if they lost their job tomorrow. They also offered hope.

One of the panels featured Nuku’s story. He’s been in living in an apartment for two years after being helped off the streets.

Another urged people to separate the person from the situation: compassion comes easier when the person isn’t regarded as homeless, but as a person experiencing homelessness.

Nearby, the panels gave way to much more interactivity.

There was free food and free smoothies. The healthy drinks were made using the pedal-powered blender also at last year’s event.

ŌCHT joined Housing First in 2018. We’re proud to have supported 124 Housing First tenancies.

As part of our work, we support people previously experiencing homelessness to sustain their tenancies.

We do this by providing an intensive tenancy management service and by linking them to help when they need it.

We also work collaboratively with kaewa and their key workers to resolve tenancy issues or concerns. We do what we can to achieve sustainable tenancies.

Patrick gets a haircut

ŌCHT tenant Patrick left the World Homeless Day event much lighter than when he arrived.

He arrived to support the event and learn more about how ŌCHT and the other Housing First partners were tackling homelessness.

He stayed to make the most of the free haircuts barber Big Red Murdoch was offering those who needed them.

Patrick made the most of his first cut in ages, letting Big Red shave his hair to his scalp and his beard to his strong jaw line.

Looking sharp, Patrick – and thanks heaps for your support!