Published on 8th of September, 2025
A grant from the W R Kettle Trust has helped to make things easier for 32 Greymouth whānau members in emergency housing who were sinking deeper into debt simply to cover basic living costs.
Recognising that the combination of rising rents and lost work hours or jobs was exacerbating the already harsh experience of poverty for many in the community, our Greymouth team advocated for extra financial assistance for clients who were in severe need.
“Many of the whānau in emergency housing rely on a benefit or a fixed low income. They often struggle to pay for essential items for themselves and the children in their care,” says CMM Regional Manager Vanya Vitasovich. “And many are wary of applying for money from MSD as these payments are a recoverable debt.”
Vanya says that client engagements usually start with a team member supporting clients to develop a plan that addresses their specific needs. They also broker access to a range of health, education and social services providers, as well as apply for funds from the grant to be released in situations that warrant it.
“The grant from the W R Kettle Trust has helped whānau meet a wide range of unavoidable costs, from school uniforms to WOF and vehicle registration renewal fees. Having these funds available has paid for necessary purchases while helping clients avoid the burden of forever rising debt and the stress and anxiety that goes with this.”
