A former central city backpackers is increasing its beds for Nelson’s homeless population despite concerns from The Wood neighbourhood community.
When the Covid-19 pandemic struck, and backpackers were locked out of the country, Paradiso’s owner looked to Housing First to plug the gap in income.
Housing First, a collaborative partnership between Te Piki Oranga, the Male Room and The Salvation Army Nelson Tasman Bays Corps, provides accommodation and support to people experiencing long-term homelessness in the region.
In response to the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, part of the Paradiso Motel was used to house people in the Nelson Tasman region who experienced challenges in finding stable accommodation.
“The ongoing housing crisis means that some people have not been able to move into longer-term housing, so there remains a need for assistance through Housing First and the ongoing use of Paradiso,” a Housing First spokesperson says.
Now the arrangement is set to increase from 30 to 44 single occupancy bedrooms, and locals, who were notified by a flyer through the mailbox, are not happy about the lack of consultation and subsequent increase in police incidents in the area.
The WekaWood Neighbourhood Support Group Nelson first raised concerns over the sudden change of use in 2020 by writing to Parliament, NMDHB and Worksafe.
The group argued that they suspect many of the new residents to have acute, complex, mental health conditions, and that they pose a risk to the neighbouring residents and businesses.
Pre Covid-19, Paradiso’s two properties on Tasman and Weka Streets could accommodate up to 150 residents in rooms. It is now being converted into dedicated temporary accommodation for people in need.
A log kept by one resident shows there have been 28 police callouts to the properties on Weka and Tasman St in the past year alone.
A police spokesperson says they are unable to confirm callouts to specific locations due to privacy reasons.
The Housing First spokesperson says they have implemented strategies to minimise disturbances.
This included creating a centralised entrance on Weka St along with a security office.
“We have also introduced a non-emergency phone number that residents can call if they would like to report any concerning activity taking place in or around the residence.”
The spokesperson says wrap-around support is provided for people in need to help them into long-term housing.
“Often this means tackling some of the issues at the root of their homelessness, such as drug and alcohol dependencies, and giving our people the basic skills to look after a household and be a good tenant.”
They say temporary accommodation is needed while more long-term solutions and a clearer strategy to fill the housing stock gap is developed.
“Without the continued occupancy of the Paradiso, we have 44 more people living on the street or in places not designed for habitation, like cars and garages. As a region and community, we can’t stand by and let that happen.”
They say a community meeting will be held in the near future, likely early November, to further update the local community and answer any questions.
Owner of Paradiso Niels Kroger declined to comment.
Nelson MP Rachel Boyack says not every person who is homeless poses a risk to the community.
“Some do have complex needs but with the right support and the wraparound services that Housing First provide they can exist in the community.”
