Shift costs community groups

By JIMMY ELLINGHAM - Tribune

Community groups operating out of Community House are facing months of increased financial pressure as they move to temporary accommodation while new premises are renovated.

However, Palmerston North City Council, which owns the present and new Community House, says all groups were offered temporary homes on the fourth floor of the council administration building.

The groups were given three months notice in early September to move out of their offices, but the new Community House, originally slated for completion at the end of this year, is some way off being ready.

Only the Samaritans – a telephone based service – has moved into the council building.

Community House's other tenants – Citizens Advice Bureau, Manawatu Home Budgeting and the Manawatu Tenants Union – have until the end of this month to move from their present Pitt St address.

The move allows for the construction of the Rugby Museum.

A new Community House is being built in King St, but is not expected to be finished until at least August or September 2010.

The council originally said it would be open at the end of this year.

Meantime, Citizens Advice Bureau is paying market rents for a temporary office.

A Citizens Advice spokeswoman says the council only told tenants about the latest change to their moving date in early September.

"It's unfortunate that we have this time lapse in between [moving to the new house]," the spokeswoman says.

"[The council is] doing as much as they can."

Citizens Advice did not take up the council's offer of moving into its building because it wasn't suitable for their business, the spokeswoman says.

"We were offered some offices on the fourth floor, which meant it's not accessible to our clients.

She says Citizens Advice knew about the move for "some time", but was told it would have until January to find a temporary home.

The move to the King St office will put extra financial pressure on the not-for-profit service.

"We're now having to pay commercial rents ... with the economic downturn, the need for our bureau has increased."

In the year to June, Palmerston North's Citizens Advice received about 8700 calls from the public, an increase of about 200 from the previous year.

Palmerston North Citizens Advice is funded by grants from trusts, the council and government ministries.

Council community services manager Cathy McCartney says delays in having the building ready stem from recommendations that the King St address needs to be completely rebuilt, as opposed to renovated – as was first planned.

"[The moving date] has been a moving feast because it's about getting extra funding."

She says all groups were offered space at council, but some said it was not suitable for them.

Manawatu Tenants Union co-ordinator Kevin Reilly is less concerned about the move, saying the council will support the association with help for rent at its temporary Church St address.

He says the council only charges "peppercorn" rent at the present Community House.

"We operate on the smell of an oily rag."

The union deals with between 1400 and 1500 rental disputes a year.

"Some weeks it's all on, other weeks I could die in here and nobody would know."

Mr Reilly says the biggest cost to the organisations working from the present Community House is the annual power bill of about $7000.

Rachel from Manawatu Home Budgeting says there has been no problems with the relocation and the council has been very good to the service.

The service helps out about 60 people per week, some of whom only need one-off advice. Others need constant help.

The new Community House will cater for up to 20 groups.

WHO IS IN PITT ST COMMUNITY HOUSE AND WHERE ARE THEY GOING?

Citizens Advice Bureau:

Will move to 12 King St from November 23.

Provides advice about health, family, welfare, legal, budgeting, personal, housing and consumer matters.

Staff: One paid and 37 volunteers.

Manawatu Tenants Union:

Will move to the Ethnic Centre, 292a Church St from December 1.

Provides advise to tenants and helps tenants prepare for court cases about property disputes. Staff: One.

Manawatu Home Budgeting:

Will move to the first floor of Square Edge from December 1. Provides budgeting advice.

Staff: 22 volunteer advisers.

Samaritans:

Already moved to fourth floor of council building.

Provides confidential emotional support.