Accessible Properties is delighted that we have been able to find accommodation for Tauranga mother of nine, Rochelle Buchanan.
Rochelle came to the public’s attention after media reported she and her children had been living for 18 months in a friend’s state home that was taken over by Accessible Properties in April.
In early-July a routine tenancy inspection from one of our Tenancy Managers found that there were 12 people living in the three-bedroom home, a situation we could not let continue because of the risk such severe overcrowding posed to the safety of everyone living in the home.
Although not an Accessible Properties tenant, we began working with the Ministry of Social Development and Tauranga emergency housing provider Te Tuinga Whanau to find alternative housing for Rochelle and her family.
In late-July we were able to call Rochelle and offer her interim accommodation in a four-bedroom Mount Maunganui home.
“We know we still have to look for another house but this feels awesome to know we are going to have our own space,” Rochelle told the Bay of Plenty Times.
Accessible Properties will continue to work with the Ministry of Social Development until a larger property becomes available and a long-term solution is found for Rochelle and her family.