Hospitality to Solve a Crisis

10 Jun 2010

If you satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness; Isaiah 58:10

Here’s something that might surprise you. Christchurch currently has very limited options for women in crisis needing short- to medium-term accommodation. There is no night shelter for women, and women’s refuge and YWCA are unable to take women under eighteen or anyone with a son over twelve. Many women stay in abusive relationships just to keep a roof over their heads.

There was an attempt made in the past by a group of churches to begin to address this by putting money into a house that could temporarily house homeless women under eighteen. The project experienced many difficulties and eventually closed. Part of the difficulty was that homelessness is not simply about bricks and mortar. It’s about relationships as well.

A solution? A register of people prepared to take someone into their home for the short to medium term would provide not just a roof but relationship, connection, love and a measure of stability. Housing for Women Trust, YCD, and our own City Mission – who are confronted regularly with the heartbreak of having nowhere to place a woman or family in trouble – have indicated an interest in this approach. But, for this to fly, we need people willing to open their homes to those in need. Dare you read on?

People needing shelter are hurting, and many have a complex and difficult range of issues they are dealing with. Some may be struggling with substance abuse, some may never have had a long term relationship that is committed to working through disagreements. Therefore, we are not looking for individual homes to take someone in, but for communities to support someone. For every home that is willing to offer hospitality, another two or three must be willing to commit to their support – or, better still, a whole church community. Training, advice and ongoing support would, of course, be available.

Remember, not all of the people needing shelter will have serious social problems; there isn’t a single issue that drives people into temporary accommodation. Some may simply need a stable roof and someone who cares, so there is scope to get involved at any level.
If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Social Justice Enabler Jolyon White on 363-0926 or justice@anglicanlife.org.nz.

WORDS: Jolyon White