Workshop Content 1: Education
Led by Rentlnk, the tenant education session formed the backbone of the workshop. Its primary focus was to equip participants with a solid understanding of tenant rights and responsibilities, critical for fostering positive relationships with property managers and maintaining secure, stable housing. Content covered included:
Understanding Tenant Rights:
Participants were educated on key tenant protections, privacy rights, and landlord obligations. Topics included maintaining the condition of the property, understanding lease agreements, and knowing how to handle issues that arise with landlords or property managers.
Importance of Property Maintenance:
Emphasizing the need for proper care and maintenance of rental properties, Rent Link provided practical advice on topics like appliance upkeep, regular cleaning, and reporting maintenance issues. Participants learned how to effectively manage everyday property responsibilities, ensuring a positive experience for both tenants and landlords.
Communication Strategies with Property Managers:
Participants were encouraged to engage proactively and respectfully with property managers, including discussing issues early on, which can prevent misunderstandings and build trust.
Workshop Content 2: Consequences
This part of the workshop, facilitated by Chris from AvaNiu Pasifika, focused on the consequences of stress and poor decision-making on housing, financial stability, health, and overall well-being. Their content aimed to equip participants with practical strategies to manage risks and challenges in four key areas:
Financial Strain and Housing Loss:
Participants learned about the risks of losing their homes due to financial pressures, including managing church offerings, loans, bills, and food expenses. AvaNiu emphasised the importance of prioritising financial obligations through interactive exercises, helping participants balance their "financial balls" more effectively.
Overcrowding and Health Implications:
The adverse health effects of overcrowded living conditions, such as the prevalence of rheumatic fever in the community, were discussed. The team highlighted the connection between overcrowding and health, stressing the need to maintain a healthy living environment to reduce these risks.
Communication Challenges and Housing Stability:
Effective communication with landlords or property managers was identified as critical to maintaining housing stability. The workshop highlighted the positive consequences of open dialogue, such as long-term tenancy, stability for children, and increased community involvement.
Stress Management and Resilience:
Sameli guided participants through steps to manage stress before it escalates into distress, which could jeopardise tenancy. The team used hands-on activities to teach practical tools for overcoming stress and building resilience. Recognising early signs of stress and addressing them with healthy decisions was a key takeaway. The team specifically emphasised the dangers of turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism, explaining that it can exacerbate stress and lead to poor decision-making, further jeopardising housing stability and overall health.
Workshop Content 3: Financial Literacy
“A budget is telling your money where to go, instead of wondering where it went.”
“It’s not an issue of wants vs. needs; it’s an issue of wants vs. priorities.”
Delivered in partnership with Westpac New Zealand, this financial literacy segment was highly anticipated by participants, given previous feedback indicating strong interest in practical money management guidance. This component addressed the core principles of budgeting and debt management, aiming to instil financial skills for sustainable living. Key topics included:
Identifying Needs vs. Wants:
Westpac provided detailed guidance on distinguishing between essential expenses (such as rent, utilities, childcare) and discretionary spending (such as entertainment, gym memberships). This knowledge equips participants to make informed financial decisions that prioritize stability.
Budget Review and Adjustment:
Participants were encouraged to review their budgets every three months to ensure they reflect current financial circumstances. Practical budgeting tools, including getsorted.org, spreadsheet templates, and budget books, were introduced to aid consistent tracking.
Managing Debt and Building Savings:
The session provided valuable insights into managing and reducing debt, including prioritizing payments and understanding the structure of debts to avoid high-interest burdens.
Bank Interaction and Transparency: The financial literacy workshop also demystified the often-intimidating banking process. By clarifying the rationale behind bank inquiries, Westpac encouraged participants to approach financial discussions with openness and honesty, fostering a more comfortable experience with banks. Participants left the session feeling more in control and better prepared to handle financial interactions.
Bay Financial Mentors: Financial Support and Debt Management
With finance being the most anticipated content of the workshop from previous feedback, Pacific Growth engage with Bay Financial Mentor to deepen participants' understanding of financial realities and provide them with viable strategies for debt management. Bay Financial Mentors covered a range of topics related to financial resilience and stress reduction:
Facing Financial Realities and Accepting Past Choices:
This segment encouraged participants to acknowledge past financial decisions, avoid self-blame, and refocus on constructive future actions. Recognizing debt obligations and creating a realistic payment plan was emphasized to regain control and establish financial stability.
Support for Financial Stress:
Participants were introduced to a holistic approach that connects financial management with other life challenges (e.g., health, family). Bay Financial Mentors work in collaboration with community services, including mental health providers and family support organizations, providing a well-rounded support network.
Financial Tools and Strategies:
Bay Financial Mentors introduced actionable tools such as payment arrangements, zero-interest loan options, and guidance for those considering bankruptcy. These options empower participants to reduce immediate financial strain and work toward sustainable solutions.
Credit Checks and Rental Applications:
The workshop also highlighted the importance of understanding credit scores and how they impact housing applications. Bay Financial Mentors advised participants on improving credit scores and overcoming negative credit history.
Free Services for Accessibility: Bay Financial Mentors’ free services ensure that financial support is accessible to all participants, regardless of socioeconomic background, fostering a supportive, inclusive environment. Participants could engage with mentors for short- or long-term support, adapting assistance to meet their specific needs.