Editorial: Trust back doing what it does best

OPINION: The pieces of the puzzle are slowly coming together for the people of Shepherd's Rest.

After a month or so of uncertainty, dozens of vulnerable members of our community look like they've got somewhere to again call home.

After they moved out of their Andrew Young St building when the lease expired, the future looked grim.

But with the help of trust members and a couple of benefactors it looks like, in time, the good work of the trust will pay dividends.

It mustn't be an easy sales pitch from the trust's point of view to find a suitable landlord.

Many of the tenants have to deal with complicated social and health issues. It would be easy for many property owners to turn a blind eye and not try to offer a solution.

But a solution has been found and credit must go to the team behind the Shepherd's Rest Trust and the new landlords.

The period between the old venue closing down and a new one being found must have been a tough time.

We're told that of the 44 residents 20 were still under the care of the trust because no one else would take them.

The other 24 were housed at other city sites. The new main building on King St appears to need some work before up to 24 people can move in.

There are two other properties; one on Albert St, the other at Ferguson House. The latter will work to rehabilitate its residents.

The main building on King St may draw a few sideways glances from new neighbours, but it fits the requirement of the trust to be based in a central location. Having a stable base for the Shepherd's Rest people (the name may not remain) must provide peace of mind for those involved.

In a letter to the editor today trust chairman Grant McCullough thanked the Palmerston North community for their care and concern in finding a way forward.

It will take a while for the new residents of King St to fit in to their new environment.

It can't be easy for people to be uprooted then rehoused elsewhere.

Here's hoping the new neighbourhood gives them a chance.

One more thing: How annoying must it be for the search and rescue teams of the region to be called out on a false alarm?

A lot of the people are volunteers who offer their services to the community.

To have three vessels (rafts and kayaks) wash up in the Manawatu River over the past couple of weeks must test their patience when a little bit of effort could have easily avoided problems.

Even a cellphone number on the bottom of the boats would help solve the problem.

Not to mention the cost of searches.

- © Fairfax NZ News