Homeless shelter is just the beginning

Wednesday, 2 May 2018

Lynley and 'Tiny' Deane are all smiles at the opening of the new homeless shelter in Taupō.

A homeless shelter for women and children is just the start say the founders of the service.

A former backpackers on Heuheu St has been converted into a shelter and is able to house over 40 women and children in 11 rooms.

Tiny and Lynley Deane are the founders of Visions of a Helping Hand Charitable Trust in Rotorua and are behind the Taupō shelter.

Future plans include caravans for homeless men in Taupō, a drop-in centre in Taupō and a homeless shelter in Turangi.

Big goals do not come cheap and the couple has had to mortgage their house to make the shelter possible. Other funding sources fell through on Friday.

They announced they were pressing ahead with a shelter in Taupō just two months ago.

'It wasn't going to go ahead, and I wasn't going to let that happen,' Tiny said.

'We are dedicated to this. We are here to make a difference. We are trying our best.'

Along with the new women's shelter, Tiny and Lynley will be working towards making a men's shelter. They plan to purchase a piece of land and provide caravans and portaloos.

A drop-in centre is also soon to open in Taupō which will be a seven-day service, where the men can shower, use the toilet and do their laundry.

Tiny said the drop-in centre would be there to help the homeless, but also those that struggle to feed their families when it comes to the end of the pay week. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be available.

'It's not just about putting a roof over their heads, it is about support when they leave here [the shelter],' Lynley said.

Turangi is the next location for a homeless shelter, with the aim of opening another former backpackers within the next few weeks.

The couple is also looking at services in Tokoroa and Whakatane.