7th November 2012

Appeal Trust funds Addington Action to fix minor damage in uninsured Christchurch homes

The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust today announced a hardship grant of up to $100,000 to the Addington Action community group to help it repair up to 80 earthquake-damaged homes of uninsured, vulnerable residents in the south of Christchurch.

Addington Action says it greatly appreciates the funding for building materials and other running costs to allow it to make minor earthquake related repairs for uninsured residents who live in suburbs south of the railway line in Christchurch. Minor repairs include fixing roofs, removing water-sodden carpet and general mould, filling cracks, painting, and repairing windows to make homes weather-tight. The funding will enable 40 homes to be repaired this year and a further 40 in 2013.

A thankful Addington resident, Christine Blance says: “It was wonderful not to have to impose on my neighbours for a change. Mike came to my door and offered Addington Action’s assistance. They not only took my bricks away but gave me a big hug.”

Addington Action has an assessment process to ensure it helps people in genuine need. To date it has fixed 30 uninsured owner-occupied houses that are home to elderly, disabled, and single-parent families with young children. Addington Action has a waiting list of 40 homes needing minor repair and expects to repair up to 200 over the next four years in the suburbs it works in: Hoon Hay, Hillmorton, Spreydon, Addington, Sydenham, Waltham, and Opawa.

Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trustee Dr Rod Carr says: “Trustees agreed that supporting suburban initiatives like Addington Action, along with grants to key social service agencies working across Canterbury, will help to relieve hardship for the most vulnerable people in communities. There are many groups like Addington Action working almost invisibly across Canterbury helping communities to recover and Trustees were keen to support their efforts with Appeal funds.”

Without Addington Action’s help, many of these homes would not have minor repairs done, due to the financial position, age and physical ability of the owners.

Addington Action uses skilled, volunteer labour to make minor repairs to homes in the south of Christchurch, and has also been funded by The Tindall Foundation, the Todd Foundation, Rotary and many individuals. In the north of Christchurch, Habitat for Humanity has been repairing 50 uninsured houses with funding by New Zealand Red Cross. In 2011 the Appeal Trust and Vodafone NZ Foundation – through their joint Canterbury Fund – granted $21,008 to Habitat for Humanity to help coordinate their team of volunteers.

The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust has reported that in the year to 30 June 2012 it granted $47.26 million to 112 Canterbury community projects from the $100.73 million raised in donations to the Appeal.

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