A family facing eviction from their south Auckland state house, just a few weeks after their mother died in a car crash, will be now be allowed to stay in a state house.
Miria Esera (left) with her family. Photo: Supplied
Miria Esera, 28, and the nine members of her family who live with her, including a new-born baby, had been given just three weeks to leave their home and she had been worried they would end up on the street.
But Housing New Zealand rang her this morning to reassess her situation and has now said she is entitled to a state house.
Ms Esera said the news had taken a huge weight off her mind.
"This whole week I've been crying, I've only had at least three or four hours sleep every night because I'm thinking about where am I supposed to take my family,' she said.
They might have to change house from the one that has been home for the past 10 years, Ms Esera said.
"Yes, we had considered that our home ... but as long as (the kids) have a roof over their head, they are warm, I'm fine with that."
It was a shame that it took the story being in the media for Housing New Zealand to take action, she said.
But Associate Social Housing Minister Alfred Ngaro said the agency had not been aware of the entire situation and once it had all the right information was able to give Ms Esera a house.
Ms Esera said she hoped her family would now be able to settle and take time to grieve.
