Published on 30th of October, 2023
We reported earlier in the year about the Kei Tua Atu I Te Kaupapa/Beyond the Brief award bestowed on the Housing First Ōtautahi Commons Project by Placemaking Aotearoa. The award came in the same month as The Commons’ first year celebration of being a presence in the heart of the city.
The Commons Project brings people experiencing long-term homelessness together every week to connect with each other, share kai and engage in creative activities. The project is located at the Gap Filler Commons site on the corner of Kilmore and Durham Streets.
Housing First Community Development worker Jono Kitt explains that the project is an effective way to ensure that those most vulnerable in the city have access to life-enhancing services such as the Christchurch City Libraries mobile library van and the Orange Sky laundry and shower van.
“We believe that by supporting and helping create these types of projects that it leads to a healthier community,” says Jono. “It’s more inclusive, breaks down barriers and it’s showing that everyone has a voice and needs a place to belong.” The range of onsite services and activities at The Commons has expanded over the past year and now includes regular art and music activities, with the White Room Creative Space bringing their mobile printing press along for Housing First Ōtautahi kaewa to create their own artworks.
Jono says that the regularity of weekly events provides an important opportunity for Housing First Ōtautahi workers to check in with those who are sleeping rough, and that it has helped the team reach more people in need of their support and who might otherwise have slipped between the cracks.
“The number of referrals completed for joining the Housing First Ōtautahi programme has been among the project’s highlights” says Jono.
“From there appropriate support can be put in place which has eventually led to housing for some. It’s important that this project continues to grow and more support comes onboard to journey along with members of our most vulnerable community.”.
In October the Commons Project put together a Street Art Exhibition at the LiVS Incubator in Cashel Mall to observe World Homeless Day in partnership with The White Room Creative Space, Life in Vacant Spaces, Creative Junk, and Telling Lives. The exhibition featured artwork created by Housing First kaewa available for purchase, including a range of items such as prints, bags, postcards, t-shirts and wrapping paper.
“Not only has The Commons become a safe place to meet and eat, it has provided kaewa access to services that can assist with physical, social and psychological inclusion. The team from Te Whatu Ora ‐ Waitaha Canterbury bring their van that has helped educate and administer Covid shots, measles and influenza vaccinations,” says Jono.
“Statistics New Zealand spent time onsite helping kaewa complete their census forms; and the Electoral Commission has been helping with the enrolment process for this year’s election, giving kaewa the confidence to head to the polling booths.”
The central city is an important place of connection for our kaewa. “Having a presence in town helps with social integration, and contributes to creating a stronger and more resilient community,” says Jono.
