An Auckland family which was on a desperate hunt for a new rental property have finally found a place to call home.
The Stone family had just six weeks to find a new rental, but with the current housing crisis, it was becoming increasingly difficult. Despite mum Stace Stone and her four children, which includes a newborn baby, being tidy and reliable tenants, they'd struggled to find a place to live.
In the last three years, rents across New Zealand have increased by $58 - that's $232 extra every month. And the average rent for a three-bedroom home in Auckland is $603.
People squeezed out of the private rental market can make a bid for public housing, but there's a massive surge in numbers of New Zealanders on that waiting list. Half of those households are single people, and a third are sole parents. The end of the road is emergency housing motels.
But four weeks after Stone and her four children first went to The Project with their struggle, they now have an exciting update - they've found a new home to live in.
"I'm so happy it's over, it's awesome. I'm so relieved," she says.
The family's new house was the 30th place Stone had looked at, she says.
Stone says the family is very happy with their new rental.
"It's awesome, it's down a cul-de-sac, so nice, quiet, peaceful street. It's got a bath - I'm so happy. And there's a little reserve," she says.
"Once we're all set up, it will be cool."
Given the family's struggle to find a rental, Stone has some advice for people who may also be battling with finding a new home.
"Keep going. I know it's hard, it's so stressful, it's frustrating, but you eventually will get there. Ask around for help if you need it. There's so many resources out there that could help. So yeah, keep going, you can do it."
Watch the video above.
