An emergency accommodation service for young people in Tauranga has started, supported by a $30,000 grant from BayTrust.

Operated by the Bay of Plenty Youth Development Trust and ImpacTauranga, Arndt House provides a safe, supported environment for young people who are unable to remain in their living situations.

Registered social workers Toni Nolan (BOPYDT) and Nynette Martin (ImpacTauranga) are leading the initiative to address a gap for people under-20.

“One young person was living in a three-bedroom home with 14 other adults and kids,” Nolan explained.

“The home itself was a loving home. It was just not fit for purpose. We have other young people coming through who are going back to dysfunctional home environments where there’s a lot of family harm and domestic violence happening.

“Through BOPYDT programmes, they’re seeing this whole new way of being and gaining all these opportunities and life skills, and then they’re going home to these houses that almost reset them.”

The new initiative began in March and can accommodate up to six young people at a time.

Arndt House has provided a home for rangatahi through Oranga Tamariki for 30 years. But with changes in funding, the house has not been operating to the same extent over the past few years.

Emergency accommodation will now be available to young people attending BOPYDT programmes and clients of ImpacTauranga who require short to medium-term residential care.

It will provide additional support while they use mentoring, education and development services provided by both organisations.

“On one hand, it’s a good circuit breaker,” Nolan said.

“It gives them a chance to catch their breath. But on the other hand, it’s also exposing them to another way of living.

“If they’ve lived a life of chaos, then having a calm routine and people who want to support them is really a good chance to change their life trajectory and just let them know that there are other options out there. They don’t have to be a product of the environment that they grew up in.”

Young people staying at Arndt House are provided with meals, day-to-day care and structured support, while working towards goals such as employment, independent living, or returning home to a safer environment.

BoP Youth Development Trust Chair Craig Nees said the organisation’s funding comes from a mix of sources, including philanthropic, government contracts, donations, grants from gaming trusts and fundraising events.

“We have been very grateful for the ongoing funding support we receive from BayTrust. The funds will be used for running costs, staff and operating costs at Arndt House.

“The need for targeted, supported housing for youth in Tauranga is urgent. Many of the young people entering our programmes come from homes where crime, substance use, and gang involvement are normalised.”

Nees said they strive to show them an alternative path built on opportunity, stability, and growth.

“The impact of our work is often undermined when they return to environments that contradict these values.

“Receiving this grant enables us to place youth in stable, supported and safe accommodation until they are in a position to manage independently. This is potentially transformative for these young people.”

Alastair Rhodes, chief executive of BayTrust. Photo / John Borren

BayTrust chief executive Alastair Rhodes said the organisation is proud to support an initiative that combines immediate care with long-term development.

“A facility of this kind can be transformational. It will help prevent long-term welfare dependency by equipping rangatahi with essential life skills such as budgeting, communication, household management, and food preparation – skills often not taught in their home environments.

“Access to safe, youth-focused emergency housing combined with wrap-around support can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. It is not just a roof – it is a foundation for a better future.

“Bay of Plenty Youth Development Trust and ImpacTauranga are doing incredibly important work to help young people develop the skills and confidence they need to move forward. We are very pleased to support Arndt House to help achieve these goals.”

-Content supplied by BayTrust