We try to accommodate urgent needs were possible. However, we are not a provider of 'emergency accommodation'. The House of Grace is a family living environment where residents work together to support one another. It is much more than simply a place to live. Intake interviews are carried out during usual working hours. Move in dates are allocated based on room availability and in coordination with the routines of all in the home.

Our area supervisor will contact within 2 working days to discuss your application. They may then offer you an opportunity to visit the home. We call this an ‘intake interview’. It is a chance to have a look around the house, meet people in the home and ask any questions you may have. The intake interview is a two-way conversation about if The House of Grace is the right place for you. Then if a placement is offered, you can decide if you want to accept it or not. Your move in date will be determined by your needs and also when a space is available. This is typically within a few days or weeks.

Residents live in the home for the duration of their pregnancy and for three months after childbirth - even if a mum decides not to parent (e.g. some chose adoption, whangai or home for life arrangements). Residents may also be invited to stay longer depending on individual circumstances. Length of stay is reviewed on a case by case basis.

Learning to pay for accommodation on a regular basis is an essential life skill. Residents are expected to pay board of $180 per week while pregnant and $250 per week with a baby. This includes power and basic food.

Each home has a house family that lives onsite. In Wellington, there are currently 2 parents and 2 children. In Hamilton there are 2 parents and 3 children. In addition, up to 5 residents and 4 babies can live in each home (unless there are twins of course!). This can make for a pretty busy household at times.

For the safety and privacy of all who live in the home, visitors are permitted in a limited capacity. On-site visitors should be pre-approved by the houseparents. Alternatively, visits with friends and family can freely happen off-site instead.

Partners can visit the home but only in certain areas. Overnight stays are not permitted.

No. Although a family lives onsite and we have volunteers who are present when houseparents are out, it is not possible to provide 24/7 supervision. Residents need to be safe and competent to live with others, and not require 24/7 supervision. There will be times where houseparents require their own downtime, are supporting other residents and also their own children.

To maintain privacy for our residents, we don't share the address of our homes publicly. If you need the physical address for an appointment, to visit a resident or to make a delivery, we will share the address with you as required.

Residents are supported to learn to use the public transport services that are easily accessible from each home. Learning to navigate transport options is a great skill to learn when developing independence.

Yes. The House of Grace is not a lockdown facility. Residents are encouraged to come and go during the day as appropriate. Residents are expected to be home in time for dinner - unless other arrangements have been made in advance. It's important for houseparents to know all residents are home and safe by the time everyone goes to bed at night.

Everyone lives together like any large family would. There is no classroom style teaching in the home. Everyone gets up in the morning to enjoy breakfast and discuss plans for the day. Residents usually spend time working towards their individual goals, attending courses, appointments, doing household duties or looking after their baby. At the end of each day, everyone sits down together for a family meal and residents take turns to help with cooking or cleaning up. No two days are the same. Babies could be born, residents could be moving in or out, there may be an outing to a park, the beach, for ice cream or shopping. You'll enjoy movie nights, baking or board games. Daily routines and fun will look different for everyone.