Limitless hope: Shelter found but funding tough ask

Kiri and Kevin Swannell have a nearby property that could be perfect to house Hawke's Bay's first emergency shelter. Photo / Duncan Brown

Kiri and Kevin Swannell are persevering with their aim of creating Hawke's Bay's first emergency shelter.

While the donated Property Brokers building did not work out the couple have since found the perfect property but have one more hurdle to jump - securing a mortgage.

"No bank will look at us because we're a charity - they need someone to personally be liable," Mrs Swannell said.

This was especially frustrating as they had seen the numbers of homeless swell at their soup kitchen in Clive Square, where the 40 people they used to serve weekly had grown to 60.

Mrs Swannell thought there was also an increase in people on the streets.

"It's just frustrating that I know this is getting worse and we can't do anything about it," Mrs Swannell said.

"We've got our hands tied and we just have to leave them sleeping on the street."

To get a mortgage Mrs Swannell said they will have to "go hard" with fundraising or look at other funding options, because seeing if the couple were able to purchase the land wasn't one.

The family were currently living off a student allowance after Mr Swannell began studying Introduction to Social services; that income wasn't enough to take out a mortgage for the property. Limitless Hope received around $75,000 from an appeal earlier this year and were still receiving donations but needed some of that to run the soup kitchen.

The charity had also been left in the lurch after issues arose with the help they had behind the scenes.

Though they were not sure how they would purchase the property, the Swannells had sorted out what would happen once they did.

Around 12 units would be built on the section to house those in need, with someone already found to build these for only $6000. There would also be a communal kitchen, and utilities.

Limitless Hope would also begin working in partnership with Get Training next year.

Participants of their daily Empowerment Programmes would help the ongoing running of the shelter, while also earning gateway NCEA qualifications to bring closer the Swannells' aim of "closing the door on homelessness".

"It'll be great to get [the shelter] up and running, but we still need to bring a regular income into Limitless Hope so we don't have to rely on funding," Mrs Swannell said.

"These programmes are what will keep it running."

Their hopes for the emergency shelter haven't been the only thing keeping the Swannells busy.

Limitless Hope were also preparing for a Christmas dinner on Monday, December 21 in Clive Square. Mrs Swannell thought they would be catering for about 100 on the night, and planned to have sit-down tables, with a live band, presents, and a visit from Santa.

-Anyone wishing to get in touch with Kiri Swannell can phone 0273019491, or by emailing limitlesshopetrust@gmail.com. Donate directly to the HB Limitless Hope Trustee Ltd bank account: 38 9017 0031 584 00.

The journey

June 6: Property Brokers offer Swannells two-storey building
June 20: Hawke's Bay Today launches Limitless Hope Emergency Shelter Appeal
June 30: $20,055 pledged on Givealittle
July 11: Relocate Homes NZ says they will move the Property Brokers for free
July 31: Givealittle page reaches the $65,000 threshold
August 8: Swannells still struggle to find a section for the donated building
September 3: Swannells decide not to use Property Brokers building due to financial road blocks, and lack of willing property manager
September 23: Limitless Hope declared an official charitable trust.