Latest news with #HealthyHomes
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Nationwide Children's buys former Catholic church site, plans to create affordable housing
The property that has been home to a now-shuttered Catholic church on Columbus' South Side is set to get new life as affordable housing. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus closed Corpus Christi Catholic Church on East Stewart Avenue in 2023, as part of a broad reorganization and closure of churches. But, on July 24, the nonprofit Healthy Homes purchased if for about $1.2 million from St. Mary, Mother of God Catholic Church in German Village. Healthy Homes plans to demolish the church building and construct housing on the five-acre property. "We're excited to look forward to what the options are in terms of what we can bring online and I think hopefully in 2027 be breaking ground on something really amazing," said Gretchen West, executive director of Healthy Homes. Healthy Homes, founded in 2008, works to create more affordable housing in Columbus, primarily on the South Side and in Linden. It is a collaboration between Nationwide Children's Hospital and Community Development for All People and offers rental properties and home ownership at below-market rates; builds homes on existing lots; and gives grants for residents to make home repairs. Why did Corpus Christi Catholic Church close? Built in 1951, the church building at 1111 E. Stewart Ave. housed the parish until it was closed in July 2023, with parishioners from Corpus Christi and St. Ladislas Church sent to St. Mary Catholic Church in German Village. At the time, the Diocese noted fewer parishioners, less attendance at Mass and a shortage of priests among reasons for the closure. The diocese sold the church to Healthy Homes due to its belief in the virtue of charity to love God and neighbor, said Jason Mays, diocese spokesman. "The Catholic Church has viewed housing as a basic human right," Mays said. "This is shown in our belief of the human person and the responsibility of society to protect the life and dignity of every person by providing conditions where human life and dignity are enhanced." The diocese and St. Mary's believe the property should be used to improve community health, especially for those who live nearby, Mays said. "St. Mary's is thrilled with the continued partnership with Nationwide Children's Hospital and believes that, like the former Corpus Christi Church, the property will continue to impact families positively of the South end of Columbus for many years to come," Mays said. Still, the church closure was painful for local residents, said Ted Welch, president of the Edgewood Civic Organization, which covers the area near the church. "It's a scar right now," Welch said, of the church land. It was more than a church to residents, as it also hosted Easter Egg hunts, community meetings, National Night Out, Christmas concerts and more, he said. Columbus Bishop Rev. Earl Fernandes said in the sales contract that not a brick of the original footprint could remain, Welch said, which caused pain for community members hoping to establish parts of it as a community center. The diocese said the level of asbestos in the church building means it needs to be demolished. But, residents still have hope for the space and are happy that Healthy Homes purchased it, Welch said. 'A healing time for the community' Demolition of the original buildings will likely take place this year, West said, with hopes for construction of housing to begin in 2027. Healthy Homes plans to work with community members as it develops plans for the site, and Welch said residents are keeping an open mind. "We're willing and interested and hopeful in working with them that this can be a healing time for the community," he said. "I'm looking for a way to begin healing where the former church property can become kind of a shining light on the hill." While the project is in the early planning phase, the vision for redevelopment of the site includes affordable multi-family rental units and homeownership opportunities to help keep area residents from being priced out of their community, West said. The project is important because it relates back to Nationwide Children's mission to help children be healthier, West said. "We know that housing, especially safe, quality, affordable housing, plays a vital role in children's health," she said. As for the new land purchased, West said: "It's just a really exciting opportunity." Underserved Communities Reporter Danae King can be reached at dking@ or on X at @DanaeKing. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Shuttered Catholic church site soon to be home to affordable housing Solve the daily Crossword
RNZ News
05-08-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Quarter of all tenant applications to Tenancy Tribunal relate to concerns about Healthy Homes
Tenants most often sought the recovery of a bond, damages due to landlords breaching obligations and compliance with Healthy Home standards. (File photo) Photo: 123RF About a quarter of all tenant applications to the Tenancy Tribunal relate to concerns about Healthy Homes standards, but industry commentators say most landlords are meeting obligations. In its latest annual report, the Tenancy Tribunal said there were 29,309 applications made to it in 2024, up 14 percent compared to 2023 and up 43 percent compared to 2022. About three-quarters came from landlords and 66 percent of all claims related to rent arrears. Tenants most often sought the recovery of a bond, damages due to landlords breaching their obligations, or compliance with Healthy Homes standards. From July 1 this year, all rental properties had to comply with Healthy Homes rules , which set minimum standards for heating, ventilation and insulation. Tenants living in a home that is not compliant could take their concerns to the Tenancy Tribunal. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, said in 2024, 1412 applications to the tribunal related to a Healthy Homes concerns. In the 2025 financial year, it was 1394. Economist Ed McKnight, from property investment firm Opes Partners, said this was a factor in about 29 percent of tenants' complaints. "That sounds high. But there are approximately 600,000 rental properties in New Zealand. "So only 0.2 percent of rental properties had a tenancy complaint regarding the Healthy Homes Standards." He said the numbers indicated property investors had taken the rules seriously. Matt Ball, a spokesperson for the NZ Property Investors Federation, said the number of applications should start to drop now that all rental properties were required to be covered. But Sarina Gibbon, general manager of the Auckland Property Investors Association, said there could be "systemic illiteracy" about the standards, and tenants might not feel they could push back. Sarina Gibbon, general manager of the Auckland Property Investors Association said tenants may feel as though they cannot push back against landlords. (File photo) Photo: Supplied "The power imbalance inherent in tenancy relationships is not abstract. It's basically a butter knife we put in tenants' hands and say, 'There, go fight your battles.' "I can go on and on about the systemic illiteracy; it is pretty endemic - I see it everywhere, among landlords, tenants, property managers, vendors, assessors, and real estate agents. There's a lot of bad [Healthy Homes] information in the marketplace and it is concerning how many landlords are relying on them as professional advice." Ball said the big increase in applications overall was probably driven in part by an increase in the number of people renting. "Active bonds increased from 374,298 at the start of 2020 to 424,383 at the end of 2024, a 13 percent increase. Over the same period tribunal applications went up 31 percent, so this is close to half of the reason." He said the tribunal now offered a wider range of options to resolve disputes, which were faster and cheaper than a full hearing and could make it more likely that people would lodge an application. "For example, both fast-track resolution and mediation provide a faster way to resolve a dispute and are increasingly used by both parties. It's interesting to note that the percentage of applications which actually required a hearing fell from 50 percent in 2020 to 44 percent in 2024." Overall, in 2024, tribunal hearings for residential tenancy cases were conducted on average just under 10 weeks after filing. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
31-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Landlords Turn To Hoverd & Co. For Performance-Based Property Management Across Auckland
As Auckland's rental market evolves, landlords are increasingly seeking structured, outcome-driven support to manage multiple properties. Local agency Harcourts Hoverd & Co. is responding with a focused approach to portfolio property management, tailored to reduce arrears, streamline reporting, and improve tenant retention. With more than two decades of regional experience, the Hoverd & Co. team offers full-service coverage across Central, South, and East Auckland. From Flat Bush to Ponsonby, their systems are designed to minimise downtime between tenancies while keeping landlords informed through a dedicated online portal. In addition to servicing landlords with larger portfolios, the agency continues to support single-property owners through its broader team of property managers in Auckland. These services include routine inspections, compliance with Healthy Homes standards, arrears management, and rent reviews - delivered under the Harcourts Promise. Clients benefit from the agency's emphasis on clear documentation, legal compliance, and transparent communication - qualities particularly valued by investors managing properties remotely. With scalable support and suburb-specific insights, Harcourts Hoverd & Co. remains a reliable partner for both new and established landlords across the Auckland region.
Otago Daily Times
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Letters to the Editor: DCC, heritage and Gaza
Today's Letters to the Editor from readers cover topics including the DCC pushing water uphill in South D, protecting Dunedin's heritage buildings, and Jules Radich's Gaza letter. Four decades of water being pushed uphill The Dunedin City Council has nearly chalked up four decades of moving beyond the legacy of the pre-1989 local body amalgamation. With amalgamation of the St Kilda borough, it was promised a new South Dunedin Public Library would be established. What a battle that has been, to see this promise honoured. Then, until 1989, with Green Island being a separate borough, the sewage from the Dunedin City hill suburbs, directed down Kaikorai Valley, could not continue on into another borough for treatment, so was (ingenious idea at the time) channelled through a pipe, via the original 1870s Caversham railway tunnel and through South Dunedin to Musselburgh. Since 1989, the much larger Dunedin City Council has had the opportunity to rectify this anomaly. Even with the lobbying from the cycling fraternity in recent decades to upgrade the original 1870s Caversham railway tunnel and turn it into an integral part of a new cycle way, the lobbying has certainly not fast tracked the removal of the sewage pipe. Come on DCC bureaucracy, stop treating the South Dunedin community with the blatant contempt that has become all too obvious. None of our local streets should be subjected to repeats of contaminated flood waters such as those of our respective residents in Surrey St, who have been putting up with this diabolical situation for several decades now. The cumulative four decades of bureaucratic culture in the DCC reminds one of the phrase: to push water uphill. Heritage and housing Re Lyndon Fairbairn's comments (Opinion ODT 2.7.25) in "A masterclass in how to block progress" I would note that Dunedin is renowned for its heritage appeal. Christchurch, sadly, has very few heritage places to retrofit. The current carbon copies of homes crammed in together, built in 10+ Dunedin suburbs, diminishes the streetscape of each suburb. They do not enhance the heritage look and feel of Dunedin as a whole. As a past developer, I budgeted for the cost of "red tape", that you say, "stifle progress". As a prudent financier I totally concur with the councillor, who claimed we were "leading the industry". The checks and balances were made to protect others. On one hand you say, "once New Zealand's fourth largest city, Dunedin is falling behind" yet at the same time also urge, "the needs of a growing population". Which is it? The comments about Dunedin having poor housing catastrophises, is unnecessary and harsh. As a prudent landlord who ensures that each apartment is totally Healthy Homes compliant, I find it alarming to read your evaluation of Dunedin rentals and see that as not becoming from a professional man like yourself. I have seen so many two-storeyed wooden lookalike, little boxes. Are we creating the slums of the future? We must make retrofitting our first option to protect our heritage established by the early pioneers (who fled from a lack of space, overcrowding and oppressive conditions) and give people appealing, interesting, architecture that will meet Healthy Home requirements, to live in. [Abridged — length. Editor.] Fitting session How ironic that David Seymour accuses Te Pāti Māori of "insane views" and being in Parliament to "wreck it" (democracy) when it is his party's Regulatory Standards Bill that is the real wrecking ball for democracy. Likewise Shane Jones calling the Otago Regional Council the "Kremlin of the South Island" when it is his party trumpeting the fast-track legislation which is attempting to sideline the democratic process. When the cap fits. Painting a reminder of respected literary figures Congratulations to Quinn Bailey and others involved in the Connect[ed] exhibition at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery. ( ODT 3.6.25). The painting that features prominently behind Quinn is worthy of a bit more mention than the title, Artist and Dunedin Writer Friends . This work by the late Dunedin artist Ivan Hill was featured at the Artists and Writers Exhibition back when the gallery was still located at Logan Park circa 1994. Ivan depicts himself floating downward with a glass of wine and surrounded by tumbling kereru to join his writer featured include George Griffiths, Hone Tuwhare, Errick Olssen, Peter Olds, Cilla McQueen, Brian Turner and Roger Hall. If Ivan were alive today he would take great pride in knowing his work would feature in this worthwhile health/art concept It's a scandal Page 3 ODT 24.6.25: $16m support package for Ukraine. Headline below: Housing project cuts 'perfect storm' for rise in homelessness. People living in tents locally while our government scatters money frivolously. Scandalous. Mayor's letter post-Gaza vote slap in face Thank you for your article on the mayor's letter ( ODT 3.6.25): it does help mitigate the shock at this slap in the face for it not to be swept under the rug. As one of those who got the ball rolling, the main thing I'd like readers to understand is that we came to the Dunedin City Council with this, to ask them for cross-party support. To the question "is it appropriate for council to be requesting the government to ask their own MPs to support a minor opposition party's Bill?" I'd say emphatically yes, it is. Because council were given a clear roadmap. They were told: "Only six more coalition MPs are needed to give this an urgent first reading at central government. Thanks to a new tool, Standing Order 288, MPs can vote their conscience. We don't believe a good conscience stops deadlocked at political party lines. Here at local level, you're also a broad political church. You have community backing. So you have an opportunity here, with somewhat lower stakes, to light the path for the higher-ups." That's why Cr Garey said the mayor's letter undermined the whole idea. Councillors were directly asked to consider a conciliatory approach and they chose to make it party political and divisive. Faced with the ethical dilemma of "might this give a party we disagree with a windfall?" versus "how can we help alleviate locals' suffering?" detractors decided the former was more important. It was irrelevant who had introduced this Bill. We all would have preferred the sitting government to put forward their own legislation well before more than the combined tonnage of Dresden, Hamburg and London in World War 2 was dropped on Gaza. It is a small strip of land roughly the size of Invercargill but home to 2.1 million people, half of whom are children. Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: editor@
Scoop
08-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Good News For Renters As National Rental Price Falls For Another Month
The capital records greatest rental price drop Rental prices in southern regions surge Year-on-year increase in new listings gives renters more choice of healthy homes The latest data from shows average rental prices are on the decline in the majority of regions across New Zealand. The national average rental price was $636 in June this year, down 2.7% from $653 in June 2024. Renters in the capital had the greatest respite: Wellington's average rental price dropped by a hefty 10.9% to $625 per week compared to $701 per week at the same time last year. Those renting property in Hawke's Bay also experienced a greater than average drop in rental prices, down 6.6% from $677 in June 2024 to $632 this year. Vanessa Williams, spokesperson for says declining rental prices in a tough economic climate is welcome news for renters. 'We know that any reduced cost, no matter how big or small, does make a difference for many household budgets. Southern surge: average weekly rental prices increase in three key regions There's no such respite for renters in the south. West Coast's average weekly rental price of $433 is 9.1% higher than the same time last year ($396). The average weekly rental price in Otago has also increased, from $571 in June 2024 to $616 in June 2025, a year-on-year increase of 8.0%. Southland's average weekly rent of $489 in June was the region's highest on record, 6.1% more than June 2024 ($461). It's a continuing trend for the Southland property market, which also set an all-time asking price high for the second month in a row in the June 2025 New Zealand Property Market. Williams says Southland's performance has been an intriguing one to follow. 'The region is certainly bucking the trend, for both home buyers and renters. It will be interesting to see what Southland's property market does over the coming months as we move into spring.' Lift in listings: tenants continue to be able to take their pick The positive news continues for renters, with 15.3% more new listings coming onto the market than a year ago. Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, and Wellington are the top three regions with the greatest year-on-year increase in new listings, reporting 96.0%, 84.9% and 82.2% respectively. Wellington's 82.2% increase saw the number of new listings rise from 276 in June 2024 to 503 in June 2025; Waikato also saw a significant increase, rising from 479 in June 2024 to 647 in June 2025. 'Greater choice in the market is also keeping prices honest,' says Williams. 'And, with the Healthy Homes deadline having now passed, renters should be assured that a new listing should also be Healthy-Homes compliant.'
