Vic Crockford reflects on Alison Cadman’s call for a national housing strategy

Alison Cadman

Women deserve more than a crisis response

Written by Vic Crockford, Executive Director, Coalition to End Women’s Homelessness

Alison Cadman has been a long-time housing advocate and a mentor to many in the community housing sector. She has just taken on the role as General Manager for the Caughey Preston Trust’s housing community for wāhine whai, which is in development in Tāmaki Makaurau - and we celebrate her appointment and this addition to dedicated housing for women. 

“This will be a place that will offer not just housing, but healing, connection, and care for the wāhine who will live there,” Alison said. 

“Women’s homelessness in Aotearoa is often hidden so I’m looking forward to contributing to work that directly addresses this issue - alongside the efforts of many shining a light on this reality. I can’t wait to see this beautiful space grow into a safe haven for healing,” she said. 

In her recent blog, Alison reflected on Dave Dobbyn’s song Welcome Home. Written 20 years ago, the song is about belonging, dignity, and being seen in Aotearoa. It captures so much of what was happening in 2005, and makes it clear what sadly hasn’t changed.

In 2005, I was in my final year of high school, hyper aware of privilege and injustice but unsure as yet of what part of the “system” could be changed or have the most impact. I was however, now that I reflect on it, on an inexorable journey toward housing. I knew from my own experience the intergenerational transformation of a stable, secure home. It had been at the heart of my family’s shift in one generation from insecurity and hardship on my Dad’s side -  to me, about to head off to university with support and the financial backing of both my parents and the state. My Nana, secure in her home through my parents’ ability to provide it for her, looked on with immense pride and joy. This is a story that cannot be told in many places in 2025.  

At CEWH, we see every day how the lack of a long-term, gender-aware housing strategy has compounded the crisis for women and children. Like Alison, we believe in a future where housing policy looks further than the next election - a future where a home is not a luxury, it’s a human right.

Alison asks simply: “Where’s the strategy?” We ask the same, again and again, because women and whānau across Aotearoa deserve more than a crisis response. 

The state of the sector

We back Alison’s observation: over the years since Dave Dobbyn sang “So welcome home, see I made a space for you now”, the sector has become more professional, strategic, and wise; grounded in real-life experience, cultural strength, and an unshakable belief that housing is a human right.

Alison says “Sometimes I feel foolish for still caring about this. Two decades is a long time to keep asking the same question – where’s the strategy?”

Alison’s care is not foolish. Her care is courageous, because continuing to care, and speak out over decades, despite slow progress, indifference, or even resistance, takes strength. Alison’s persistence shows conviction in the face of silence. To keep asking “where’s the strategy?” year after year is an act of hope, of love, and of deep responsibility to those still waiting for change. It’s easier to give up but she hasn’t.

Alison is right: the lack of long-term planning has left us with short-term, fragmented responses. Now is the time for bold, compassionate leadership. 

We must shape a housing system that is rooted in fairness and shaped by those most affected.

Read Alison’s blog here.