BayTrust, TECT, the Acorn Foundation, Rotorua Trust and the Eastern Bay Energy Trust are working together to tackle housing problems across the region.

The joint decision follows research which shows poor quality and unhealthy housing is a widespread issue across the Bay.

'Cold, damp houses create significant health issues and negatively impact the quality of life of families. It also particularly affects children and older people,” says BayTrust chief executive Alastair Rhodes.

'Meanwhile, the current pressures on the rental market and a lack of emergency short-term housing has resulted in an increasing number of people being homeless. So there is a real need for temporary accommodation, particularly for women and children.

'These are issues where Community Funders in partnership with key government agencies, NGOs, iwi, councils and the community, can make a real and immediate difference.”

The funders' commissioned research undertaken by the Centre for Social Impact to examine what Community Funders can do to make the most difference.

It looks at a wide range of housing issues affecting Tauranga City, Western Bay of Plenty, Whakatane, Opotiki, Kawerau, Rotorua and Taupo.

Presssing issues identified in Tauranga,include lack of family-suitable dwellings (3+ bedrooms); lack of 1-2 bedroom dwellings; overcrowding; lack of suitable low cost housing for older people; and lack of affordable houses to either buy or rent.

General manager of the Acorn Foundation, Nicky Wilkins, says the funding organisations need to be strategic, intentional and innovative and invest in the right areas to see change.

'This research really highlights the need to collaborate and work together if we want to make a real difference. The issues are complex and different across the region, and there is no one solution,” says Nicky.

Community Funders have invested nearly $9 million across the region in housing over the last five years. This has primarily been through insulation programmes, supporting housing developments and providing funding to organisations that work to help people find and stay in sustainable housing.

TECT general manager Wayne Werder has seen the difference that retro-fitting insulation in older homes can make.

'TECT has been involved in home insulation programmes for a number of years. We know that warm homes make people healthier and save money. The key to future investment will be ensuring we can prioritise where this investment will have the greatest impact.

'Commissioning this paper was the start of us of working more closely together on housing, and will help inform where we go from here.”

The sustainable housing research paper is now available for download from each funder's website and BayTrust's website.