Residents in Hastings council flats are reporting their concern after the council hiked rents by up to 100%.
All seniors living in the council's 220 flats had their rent increased by between $80 to $140 per week by the end of last month.
While some have called the hike unfair, the Hastings District Council said the flats were still about 65% below market value, and the increase had to be made to provide "safe and warm" homes for the residents.
Ngāti Kahungunu communications lead Ruth Wong said one couple she spoke to were were in their mid 70s, and their rent went up by about $80 per week.
"I'm hearing there's a big struggle... it's not a nice thing."
Wong said a lot of the tenants were elderly, and one woman had to leave the flats after becoming unwell, losing her independence.
"They want to live their own life, we want them to live their best life — they're our taonga."
Wong said Ngāti Kahungunu was doing its best to help people impacted by the rise in rent by providing kai and support where it could.
Ngāti Kahungunu chairman Bayden Barber said gradual increases to the rent would have made more sense — rather than such a sudden increase.
"We understand things are going up... but our whānau have fixed incomes and they need to find that money somehow."
Hastings District Councillor Wendy Schollum said the council did not qualify for rent subsidies, as it was not a community housing provider.
She said if the council did not increase the rent, it would lead to an underinvestment which could result in more problems with the flats.
"We need to ensure we are providing safe, healthy, warm homes for our vulnerable seniors and we've worked really hard to make sure we can provide that at as low price as possible.
"We're talking 65% of market rate."
Schollum added most residents in the area would qualify for Ministry of Social Development assistance with making their rent payments.
She said one resident who was able to get the help was only paying $5 more rent after the increase.
To see more about the issue facing the Hastings community, watch the video above.
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