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Enliven Disability welcomes housing solution in Havelock North

Enliven Disability Services, a service of Presbyterian Support East Coast, and Kāinga Ora (Housing NZ) are joining forces to address the dire shortage of housing for people with physical disabilities in Hawke’s Bay.

Kāinga Ora has selected Enliven Disability Services as the preferred provider to rent a 5-bedroom, 2-bathroom property on Middle Road in Havelock North. The large, airy house will soon be ready to receive residents once renovations are complete.

“We are so pleased to have secured Middle Rd. People with disabilities are suffering badly in the current housing crisis, and many are living in frankly unsuitable accommodation. This is a crucial move towards rectifying that,” says Andrew Wordsworth, Enliven Disability Service Manager.

Five people – one couple and three individuals – will make up the household. They are expected to move in over the next few months. They are all adults living with disabilities and chronic conditions, and they’re looking forward to their new home and neighbourhood close to Havelock North amenities.

Enliven staff will also be on site, including a Registered Nurse, a House Coordinator and Support Workers. Like familiar guests in a home, they will assist residents with everyday activities, but also empower them to do as much for themselves as possible.

Enliven Disability Services staff will soon be introducing themselves to their new neighbours and look forward to building a friendly local network in which the residents will become familiar faces.

PSEC has had long experience in providing and managing accessible housing in Hawke’s Bay. Rowan, in Gloucester Street, Taradale was developed by PSEC in 1983 due to the high demand even then for physical disability residential services. Like Middle Road, Rowan was founded on the aims of fostering adult choice, responsibility and independence in a way that supports the everyday lives of the residents, or flatters. The Rowan flatters are now very much part of the Taradale community.

One Rowan flatter stated in a regular satisfaction survey carried out by PSEC: “We are so lucky to have a home like this, there should be more Rowans out there.”

Thanks to this collaboration between PSEC and Kāinga Ora, there is now one more residential option for people living with physical disability in the region, and more are needed. PSEC is always on the lookout for suitable properties.

Enliven Disability Staff

L to R: Claire Beard, House Coordinator, Tracey Entwistle, Registered Nurse, and Andrew Wordsworth, Enliven Disability Service Manager.

Middle road havelock North

The Enliven Disability house at Middle Road.