From avoidance to advocate for Ngāmotu housing

For most of her 15 year career as a social worker, Billie Simpson (Ngāpuhi) shied away from working in the housing sector.

But here she is, almost a year into her role as team leader for transitional housing for Te Ope Whakaora ki Ngāmotu.

“I’ve always sort of avoided housing because it’s the hardest thing to do, it’s the hardest thing to address, but it’s a base need,” she says.

“But I sort of figured out that if I could flip that and look at it as be the change that you want to see. Be a part of it, be part of an an active process, which is why I’m here.”

Her main reason for avoiding housing was because there’s simply not enough houses out there to meet the demand for safe and secure accommodation, while some of the the people she works have their own issues which need to be worked through.

“Our clients, they can be challenging to try and get into homes, for different reasons,” she says.

“Pets, bad finances, no references, bad tenancy history, mental health issues.”

Billie works with three other social workers and two housing coordinators in her team and also provides work experience for social work students.

“I believe in paying it forward and we’ve had two since I’ve been here, both Māori, which was quite cool because they get to see it all from a different angle”.

Their work covers 34 housing units across Ngāmotu and given most of the people living in the units are Māori, Billie says it’s helpful for them to see Māori supporting them in their journey to safe and secure acommodation.

“I think it’s a good connection, but I’ve always thought that anyway. I think as a social worker you already bring something that uniquely is you, and that helps to reduce people’s fears and concerns,” she says.

“Automatically people think social workers are going to take their kids and that’s definitely not what we’re going to do.”

Finding permanent housing is the ultimate goal for Billie and her team and while a tiny fraction of people remain in transitional housing for long periods of time, most find a permanent solution in just a few months, she says.

“Those who stay for longer, either they’ve got a lot of complexity that wouldn’t get them into a home, and/or they can’t afford to, or the houses just aren’t there. So it’s a few dynamics all at the same time, but I see it as a privilege to walk with someone through some of their hardest stuff.”

The relationship between the clients and their social worker is key, she says, and as team leader, she aims to provide the support needed to succeed.

“Empowerment is what I believe in. I think it’s the value that I walk alongside as a social worker. So it’s just transferring that over as a team leader and empowering our team, who are then empowering our clients. If they work well with the social worker in general they will have a good outcome, because they’re  the ones supporting and educating and putting them in the right places at the right time.”

Seeing whānau grow as they move from supported accommodation to permanent housing is hugely satisfying and Billie and her team celebrate every time someone shifts into their permanent home.

“I grew up in emergency housing and Housing Corp housing so I am acutely aware how the lack of housing stability impacts on you and your whanau,” she says.

“To watch someone grow from when you first start. Sometimes they’re really resistant, they don’t actually want to be with you, don’t want to work with you. So if you can walk alongside them through their journey and get to the other end and go, all right, now you don’t need me, you’re on your own mission,” she says.

“Despite all the odds, with perseverance, support, right place, right time, they can achieve the goals that they need to.”