About De Paul House

De Paul House has been housing families since 1986.

Our Story

In 2020, De Paul House received registration as a Community Housing Provider.

Since 2017, De Paul House has expanded to include housing in the local community.
2014 saw major alterations and additions completed, including a purpose-built Early Childhood Centre, a Community Learning Centre, and accommodation for 3 larger self-contained units.
2006 The Daughters of Charity handed over management to a Charitable Trust Board and staff.

18th March 1986, the first family moved in. The Daughters of Charity managed the service and renamed it De Paul House, to reflect their affiliation to St Vincent de Paul and the work of the Society of St Vincent de Paul.

In March 1985, planning approval was received from the Northcote Borough Council. Stage one saw the establishment of 6 bedrooms able to house 22 people, a communal lounge, dining, kitchen, and laundry facilities.

In November 1984, the management committee included members of the local Society of St Vincent de Paul, The Daughters of Charity, St Mary's School and the Regional Pastoral Council. Some of these original members continue to be great supporters and volunteers of De Paul House even today.

18th March 1986, the first family moved in.

In the early 1980’s, the members of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, Northcote became deeply concerned about the number of families on the North Shore who were either living in overcrowded circumstances or were homeless. These families were on low incomes. The Society members subsequently approached Bishop Denis Browne, the Bishop of Auckland at the time and requested the use of St Dominic’s as an emergency housing facility, similar to that established by Monte Cecilia House which was set up the Sisters of Mercy in 1983.

The building housing De Paul House today, began life as a Catholic Boarding College in 1934 run by the Dominican Sisters.

Our Management Team

Jan Rutledge
General Manager

Jan Rutledge has worked in the transitional housing and social services sector for fourteen years. She was appointed the role of General Manager in May 2014. During this time, Jan has overseen the considerable expansion of De Paul House’s services and housing provision.

Jan is proud of the hands-
on approach of the De Paul House team, and their great work ethic. She acknowledges the resilience and generosity of the many families who have been through De Paul Houses’ doors.

Jan has a Bachelor of Arts, History and a Graduate Diploma in Not for profit Management. (Unitec)

Naomi Malolo
Operations Manager

Naomi comes to De Paul House with experience in finance, business operations analysis and administration. Being part of an organisation that strives to help those who need it most, is the key reason she joined our team.

Naomi has a Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Management with First-Class Honours and Bachelor of Business in Commercial Law and Management. (Auckland University of Technology)

Paula Barker
Clinical Team Leader

Paula has an extensive background within non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the Healthcare systems. She has been with De Paul House for nine years.

Paula enjoys leading the Family Support Social Work team, and seeing vulnerable families grow and succeed. She is committed to ensuring the families are empowered to fulfil their dreams.

Paula has a Bachelor of Social Work.
(The University of Auckland)

Sesalina Setu
Tenancy Manager,
Transitional Housing

Sesalina has lived and worked on the North Shore for more than twenty years. With her experience, both in government and the not-for-profit sector, she has a well established relationship with people of all walks of life within the North Shore community.

She is very proud of her Samoan heritage. A well-known Samoan proverb she lives by is, O le ala i le pule o le tautua, "The pathway to becoming a leader, is through serving." That is, serving people with your heart, with passion, with humility, and with respect.

She is humbled to be working for De Paul House, to provide homeless families with a safe and comfortable accommodation during their tenancy.