Tenant protection association fights to reopen after financial constraints forced its closure

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Lisa Coulter, left, and Helen Gatonyi, of the Tenants Protection Association, at work at Helen's since losing their offices at Community House after the 2011 earthquake. (File photo)

Dean Kozanic / Stuff

Lisa Coulter, left, and Helen Gatonyi, of the Tenants Protection Association, at work at Helen’s since losing their offices at Community House after the 2011 earthquake. (File photo)

The Tenants Protection Association (TPA) is trying to raise $50,000 to reopen its doors after financial constraints closed them.

The Christchurch Community Agency has been providing free, confidential advice to tenants and advocating for tenants’ rights and well-being for over 40 years.

TPA announced on its Facebook page that it ceased operations on Wednesday “due to financial constraints”.

“The council is still looking for support, but there are no guarantees for our future,” the post said.

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Tenants Protection Association official Cristene Trenuela-Chan said the team wanted to fight to stay open.

Provided

Tenants Protection Association official Cristene Trenuela-Chan said the team wanted to fight to stay open.

Director Cristene Trenuela-Chan said the loss of backers and the impact of Covid-19 had meant the business had no choice but to close.

After receiving “a crushing aroha” in response to the news, the TPA said it was “prepared to fight to the bitter end to ensure we are here to serve our community” in another post.

It started a Give a small page to raise the $50,000 needed to keep its doors open, the post said.

“We are grateful for all the messages of love we receive from the community,” said Trenuela-Chan.

The money collected would be used to repay privileged creditors, which would allow the association to resume its work, she said.

The fundraising effort might not raise enough to keep the TPA operating in the same way, but would give it time to “create a more sustainable option for the future,” Trenuela-Chan said.

“It could be a different TPA when we surface at the other end. It is so vital for the tenants that it must continue.

“Housing is such a big problem and no one supports tenants. The work must continue,” she said.

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