How We Help
We aim to provide more than just the basic need of housing. The most effective way to empower and promote longer-term independence and wellbeing for vulnerable people is to connect them with their communities. We have Community Development Co-ordinators in place to work with tenants to achieve this by facilitating and creating ‘micro-communities’ of tenants
Our CDCs proactively seek out isolated residents and identify areas of support needed, and connect our tenants with groups and organisations in the local community (churches, clubs, etc.) in order to help tenants build relationships in the community.
We actively seek out isolated residents and identify their individual needs and strengths using the Te Whare Tapa Wha model.
We facilitate the development of micro-communities of tenants, helping to connect individual tenants with each other and empower these groups to become self-reliant and independent.
We identify and build relationships with groups and organisations in our tenants’ local communities to help our tenants connect with and participate in their communities.
We work alongside other community housing providers and mental health providers, such as Equip, Connect, and WDHB, to help give holistic support to our tenants’ wellbeing.
To provide suitable housing on the North Shore for people in social or economic need.
To focus on people who have experienced mental ill health, as well as young people and the elderly.
To support recovery for those struggling with mental health issues by connecting tenants to providers such as Equip and Connect Supporting.
To support the development of healthy friendships, neighbourhoods and communities.
Bays Community Housing Trust was set up in 2004 by members of Long Bay Baptist Church. Our initial focus was on people who have experienced mental ill health, and we have recently included the provision of housing for young people and the elderly.
Through the support from Housing New Zealand and a range of other groups, including Equip and the Community of Refuge Trust (CORT), the Trust now owns thirteen one-bedroom units and eight houses, and leases twelve units from Housing New Zealand.
Our Team
John Tiy
John Tiy (BSW) has over 17 years experience in working with local, national and international governmental organisations. In the last five years has specialised in working with young adults, their whanau and communities. Passionate about social justice and community development.
Gordon Duncan
Gordon Duncan, MCom (Hons) Dip Bus Stud, BDiv, now retired from full-time employment, combines experience in christian ministry, business consulting, governance for a national NGO, and social entrepreneurship.
Anton Jacobs
Anton Jacobs, B.Com, B.Compt (Hons.) CTA, Advanced Certificate in Auditing is a qualified Chartered Accountant registered with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants and is currently employed as the Accountant at a private property management, investment, and development company. Prior to his current role, he spent over 6 years in public practice as an auditor of a large variety of private companies. Anton also has extensive pre-qualification experience in accounting roles in the mining industry and a property management company in South Africa.
Murray Kerr
Murray Kerr (Retired Pharmacist) has considerable business experience. He ran a large retail pharmacy in Browns Bay for over 30 years. He is the Chairman of Medical Aid Abroad, Auckland, is also part of a music team at Long Bay Baptist Church and is a member of Rotary Browns Bay.
Chris Lloyd
Chris Lloyd, Higher Diploma in Construction Management, has many years’ experience in the construction industry both in New Zealand and South Africa and is currently a senior site manager for a large construction company in Auckland.
Alan Milne
Alan Milne, B.Eng. (Civil), Institute of Professional Engineers (Member), started his own project management company in 1996 and has worked mainly in the school property sector managing the design and construction of new school buildings but has also managed commercial apartment projects, restaurant and shop fitout, health & aged care projects and mainstreet landscaping projects.
Gavin Brown
Professor Gavin Brown (Associate Dean Postgraduate – Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Auckland) has previously been a secondary school teacher and an InterVarsity Christian Fellowship field staff member. He is father of four and grandfather of two. Gavin attends Long Bay Baptist Church when he is not overseas.