Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust

19/11/2025

Yesterday we celebrated something truly special — our 2025 Housing Heroes. ✨

These remarkable tenants make ŌCHT communities safer, stronger and more connected. This year, we were thrilled to name Juanita as our Housing Hero for her incredible dedication to her neighbours and community life. 💛

With a record 33 nominations, we honoured acts of kindness and care that genuinely make a difference.

Some heroes have brought gardens to life, keeping shared spaces beautiful and welcoming. Others have worked tirelessly to improve safety, support neighbours through language barriers, and create places where people can come together. Many stepped up in moments of need, delivering meals, helping with housework, advocating for health and social services, and offering steady support during mental health challenges.

👏 Thank you to all our Housing Heroes for your bravery, generosity and everyday acts of support. You are what makes our communities thrive.

🔗 Read the full story: https://www.ocht.org.nz/news/housing-heroes-2025-ocht-tenants-making-communities-safer-and-stronger

18/11/2025

Housing Heroes and the Tenant Annual Meeting is tomorrow! Thirty three nominations, countless acts of awesomeness - and ŌCHT tenants who attend are in to win grocery vouchers! See you there (details in the vid)!

13/11/2025

We're celebrating our Housing Heroes at the Annual Tenant Meeting on Wednesday, November 19 - and did we mention tenants who come to the meeting will be in to win a grocery voucher? We did? Oh, well we've mentioned it again.

📣 Housing Heroes Awards
🗺️ At the Annual Tenant Meeting
📍 Oxford Terrace Baptist Church Auditorium, 286 Oxford Terrace
⏰ 11am Wednesday, November 19
⭐ There's a free light lunch and tenants who attend the whole meeting could win a $20 voucher!

See you there!

11/11/2025

🎉🏆Housing Heroes Awards are on Wednesday, November 19, and a record 33 amazing tenants have been nominated! All ŌCHT tenants and whānau are welcome to join the celebration and recognise those who go above and beyond for their community.

📅 When: 11:00 am, Wednesday, November 19
📍 Where: Oxford Terrace Baptist Church Auditorium, 286 Oxford Terrace

Free light lunch for everyone, plus tenants who stay for the full meeting could win a $20 voucher!

⭐ Come along and celebrate the incredible people in our community! ⭐

09/11/2025

🫡🫡The Housing Heroes Awards is on November 19 and a record 33 people have been nominated! All ŌCHT tenants and whanau are invited to celebrate the amazing neighbours who go above and beyond for their community. Here's the details:

📣 What: Housing Heroes Awards
🗺️ Where: During the Annual Tenant Meeting
📍 Yeah, but where though: Oxford Terrace Baptist Church Auditorium, 286 Oxford Terrace
⏰ When: 11am Wednesday, November 19
⭐ Anything special: There's a free light lunch and tenants who attend the whole meeting could win a $20 voucher!

28/10/2025

🌟 Who’s your Housing Hero? 🌟

We’ve already received some incredible nominations for this year’s Housing Heroes Awards 2025, and we’re so inspired by the kindness and community spirit shining through our ŌCHT homes. 💛

One tenant has transformed their community lounge into a welcoming space for everyone, adding activities, sharing recipes and helping make it a place where neighbours can connect.

Another quietly tends to everyone’s gardens, mowing lawns, fixing fences and adding beautiful touches to brighten the space. Their neighbours call them selfless and amazing.

And one caring tenant noticed something wasn’t right with a neighbour and made sure they got the help they needed. They keep their home and garden immaculate, but it’s their kindness that really stands out.

🌼 These are just a few of the many wonderful people making our communities more connected.

Now we want to hear about your Housing Hero!
👉 Who goes above and beyond where you live?
👉 Who makes a difference, big or small?

⭐ Nominate your Housing Hero today!
📞 0800 624 456
✉️ [email protected]
🏢 61 Kilmore Street, Christchurch 8140

🗓 Nominations close October 20, 2025
🎉 Awards Ceremony: 11am, Wednesday, November 19, 2025
📍 Oxford Terrace Baptist Church Auditorium
(Free lunch + chance to win one of five $50 vouchers if you nominate and attend!)

Let’s celebrate the everyday heroes who make ŌCHT communities feel like home. 🏡💚

More details: https://www.ocht.org.nz/housing-heroes-2025

22/10/2025

Sarah and Gizmo - and heaps more Tiwaiwaka Lane residents, and members of the ŌCHT team - joined Hillview Christian School pupils, teachers and parent helpers for a special BBQ at the Lane's common today. The school arranged and cooked the BBQ in an amazing celebrating of shared community - and the pupils did a wonderful job breading-up the sausages and sharing the fizzy! Thanks Hillview Christian School for such a special (and much appreciated) chance to mingle!

22/10/2025

A Red Wind Warning has been issued for Canterbury. Please take care and stay safe.

If you notice any damage or issues that impact your home, please call ŌCHT on 0800 624 456 so we can help.

Stay indoors if you can, secure loose outdoor items, and check on your neighbours if it’s safe to do so.

08/10/2025

Spring is here, and that means it’s time for our biannual spouting cleans. 🌿

From October 13 to the end of November, our contractor Goleman Group will be visiting ŌCHT communities to clear gutters and downpipes of leaves and debris, and carry out building wash-downs at some sites.

Please remember to keep windows closed and move personal items away from the sides of your unit on the day they’re working in your area.

Check the full schedule and find out when they’ll be at your place here 👇
🔗 https://www.ocht.org.nz/news/spring-spouting-cleans-start-next-week

Keeping our spouting clear helps protect your home from leaks and flooding.

Thank you for your help! 💧

The latest spouting cleaning round starts mid October and goes through to the end of November.

30/09/2025

Annie, an ŌCHT tenant, shares what it means to be a Housing Hero and how they make a difference in their community.

Do you know someone in your community who supports others, helps out when it matters and makes your community a better place? Celebrate them!

To nominate a Housing Hero, just provide:
⭐ Your name and contact details
⭐ The name of your Housing Hero
⭐ Where they live
⭐ WHY they are a Housing Hero!

Send your nomination to ŌCHT:
📞 0800 624 456
✉️ [email protected]
🏢 61 Kilmore Street, Christchurch 8140

All ŌCHT tenants can nominate a fellow tenant. When you nominate AND attend the awards, you’ll go in the draw to win one of five $50 vouchers!

Important dates:
Nominations close: October 20, 2025
Awards Ceremony: 11am, Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Oxford Terrace Baptist Church Auditorium, 286 Oxford Terrace
(It’s during the Tenant Annual Meeting; whānau welcome, free lunch included.)

Watch Annie’s story and visit our website to get inspired: https://www.ocht.org.nz/housing-heroes-2025

15/09/2025

Housing Heroes 2025 — Nominations Now Open!

Do you know someone in an ŌCHT community who goes above and beyond? A neighbour who supports others, shows kindness, or steps up when it matters?

We want to celebrate them! Housing Heroes 2025 is open for nominations.

To nominate a Housing Hero, just provide:
⭐ Your name and contact details
⭐ The name of your Housing Hero
⭐ Where they live
⭐ WHY they are a Housing Hero!

Send your nomination to ŌCHT:
📞 0800 624 456
✉️ [email protected]
🏢 61 Kilmore Street, Christchurch 8140

All ŌCHT tenants can nominate a fellow tenant. When you nominate AND attend the Awards, you’ll go in the draw to win one of five $50 vouchers!

Important dates:

Nominations close: October 20, 2025

Awards Ceremony: 11am, Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Oxford Terrace Baptist Church Auditorium, 286 Oxford Terrace
(It’s during the Tenant Annual Meeting; whānau welcome, free lunch included.)

Let’s celebrate the amazing people who make our communities stronger and more connected every day.

More details: https://www.ocht.org.nz/housing-heroes-2025

14/09/2025

Christchurch Methodist Mission’s Wesley Village tenants invite ŌCHT's over 60s tenants to lunch and to view the photo exhibition, Listen up! Seniors Take a Stand on Housing. It's happening Friday, October 10 - full details below! (We got the date wrong in Our Chat - this is the correct date and time!)