25 August 2017

Housing and Mental Health the major issues facing Community Organisations in Wellington

“We polled our members on what were the biggest issues affecting the community sector and poor access to adequate housing and high unmet mental health needs came out on top” says Bridget Murphy Co-chair of Community Networks Wellington (CNW)

CNW has more than 110 member organisations who work in the Wellington community sector. The CNW’s annual survey identifies issues that are common across member organisation and highlights the key issues for the sector. In 2017 five key issues were identified:

1. Housing: Availability of affordable, healthy, secure accommodation

2. Mental Health and Addictions: High unmet needs and an over-demand for services

3. Poverty and Inequality: Unemployment, low wages, job quality, cost of living, debt

4. Barriers to access: Availability of appropriate services, language, literacy, financial literacy, high cost of public transport

5. Sector Resourcing: Lack of funding, need to work with complex situations

CNW encourages Wellingtonians to keep these issues are the forefront as New Zealand heads towards the election is September.

Bridget says “there is a misconception that some social issues such as mental health only impact mental health providers and that just isn’t true. Wherever there are high unmet needs in the community the whole community feels the impact. Regardless of whether a community group’s primary purpose is food rescue, education, housing or health these five key issues are the ones that make an impact on day-to-day activities.”

CNW is an organisation that brings together community groups in Wellington City to share information, provide connection and to act as a voice for the sector. Monthly network meetings provider members with the opportunity to hear guest speakers present on relevant topics and allow cross sector networking.

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