Despite the daunting challenges, seniors and disabled individuals worldwide exhibit extraordinary personal resilience in effectively managing their limited finances and budgets. Their unyielding determination and strength in the face of adversity are a powerful source of inspiration and hope for us all.
As Jean read a prayer that resonated with her—” Lord, I don’t know what today holds- go before me and walk with me!” by Grace Oasis—she found solace in its message of uncertainty and the need for divine guidance. This prayer, she realised, echoes the daily struggles and hopes of many seniors and disabled individuals, including herself. This prayer speaks to the heart of our shared experiences, fostering a sense of connection and empathy.
As a senior, Jean immerses herself in daily articles in newspapers, online news, and social media—not the frivolous ones like TikTok or X. I understand the struggle many of us face in managing our finances, incomes, and even superannuation amidst economic financials, high inflation, interest rates, mortgage rates, and other issues. It is our collective responsibility as a community to extend our support to the millions of disabled people who are also grappling with low income or Poverty without social security, supported living benefits (in New Zealand), and New Zealand Superannuation (pension) benefits to pay the bills, rent/mortgage, food, petrol, power, and the list goes on. On the other hand, some people run businesses struggling for profit, have above-average income, and earn an average. They do not realise the problem outside the building or open their eyes to or notice thousands of homeless people and low-income families trying to do their best. These personal stories bring us closer to the realities of seniors and disabled individuals, fostering a sense of engagement and emotional connection.
For example, on one side of the coin, public people, councillors, and business owners fear their businesses will lose profit because of the homeless people hanging around in Garden Place, Hamilton City, washing, showering, having a ‘bong’ and socialising with other familiar faces of homeless people. Jean understands that many restaurants and cafes lose wasted food and do not give them out to homeless people or schoolchildren. Jean understands their feelings and how they can stop and think twice before making a complaint. On the other side of the coin, Jean walks to the Central Library every Friday except for school terms, and yes, Jean notices several homeless people living in Garden Place. Jean recognised them because they visited our workplace where we provide a new service, ‘Orange Sky’. The Orange Sky is a mobile laundry and shower service providing dignity and hygiene to those experiencing homelessness. Every Monday at our workplace, we have a community lunch in the kitchen and the hall and provide homeless people and low-income adults a lunch meal of $1. They do not complain about the meal; they enjoy popping in and having regular chats, getting advice or making a phone call. Yes, staff have safety and backup when they visit or pop in. Many of the City Safety Watch Patrols spoke to them about our workplace without a problem. Why not read the article from Waikato Times here?
Here is a one-hour video – Disability is forced Poverty.
Today, the baby boom is outpacing the planning efforts of Health Authorities and the Government. It is frustrating to hear the Housing Minister’s claim that emergency housing and housing for low-income families and individuals adults (possibly for a few disabled people) are being prioritised to reduce waiting lists in New Zealand. We need to advocate for more effective government action, as empty housing in poor conditions sits in the local area, waiting to be built to make way for new housing developments. The plan of making more housing development begs the question- is this the best use of resources? We must push for government action that is not just about building more houses but about addressing the root causes of homelessness and Poverty.
Fortunately, we had a lifestyle block and a 1940s farmhouse, which we decided to renovate and make suitable for living. This decision was driven by our financial constraints, as we needed a cost-effective solution for our housing needs. We are budget-conscious and careful about what we spend, paying close attention to bills like rates, water rates, and many utilities. We are not wealthy people with disabilities, and we are approaching between 61 years old and 70 years old. Our situation is a stark reminder of the financial challenges many seniors and disabled individuals face in New Zealand, where the cost of living is high, and support systems are often inadequate.
Readers may not be aware of the crisis in Finland, the UK, the USA, and other countries, in which thousands of seniors have been living in caravans, old buses, their own cars, and makeshift tents since COVID-19.
Yesterday, a disabled female video chatted about her request for NZ Superannuation and whether she is entitled to a disability allowance to cover the cost of her home, transport, and power. Yes, she is entitled to a disability allowance, and Jean helped other disabled people to ensure they are covered and have some little money to live on in daily life. A few disabled people Jean knew had retired and gained a lump income plus Kiwisaver investment without a mortgage or with a mortgage. They get NZ Superannuation and part-time jobs with different tax codes to ensure they earn limited income daily. Many latecomers joined Kiwisavers at 45 and would not receive much Kiwisaver investment when they turned 65. Also, many young ones struggle to place a deposit for house loans by withdrawing from Kiwisavers and losing interest in the investment and fees.
Look in New Zealand, the report quoted from https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/news/state-of-wellbeing-2019
“Disabled children and their carers are significantly more likely to live in Poverty in New Zealand. Households with disabled children are between 1.4 and 1.6 times more likely to be below all three poverty thresholds than households that only had non-disabled children.”
In New Zealand, the census stats are out now for 2023, and the problem was collecting the data by inaccurate figures due to never filling out language barriers, no one being at home, and not wanting to fill in the questionnaire forms. Thousands of homeless people and homeless people with disabilities across New Zealand did not collect the data.
Housing Problems for Homeless Crisis in Canada
Spend a day with a homeless person living on the street.
What can Jean do to explore more about disabled people who are homeless anywhere and find updated reports to ensure the public community, businesses, MPs (Members of the Parliament), Housing General Managers, and many more?
Here is one article posted on the 18th of December, 2018, and the link is here. https://www.housingrightswatch.org/content/homelessness-and-disabilities-impact-recent-human-rights-developments-policy-and-practice%E2%80%8B
Here is our New Zealand Census 2023, and it is not the correct estimate, Jean believes, because they are missing out on more homeless, disabled people in the rural and other areas.
It is stark and pessimistically noticeable that disabled people, seniors and mentally ill young adults live in these conditions of the community throughout their daily lives. The Government – MPs and their parties are not doing their jobs well; they lack leadership skills, there is too much funding under the Financial/Budget cuts back, uncertainly where to place the top priority where many disabled and D/deaf people are placed at the bottom of their lists.
Life in Eureka 