The number of people needing affordable housing in Nelson and Richmond grew by a record five per cent in the last six months of 2024, which makes it particularly frustrating for a local housing provider left out of the Government’s funding for social housing.
In the Nelson Tasman Housing Trust’s (NTHT) housing-need survey released this month, 784 households need affordable housing in addition to the 438 households on the public housing register. That is five per cent higher than the previous six months and a record for the trust’s surveys.
The trust has relied on Government funding to help build affordable social housing, but that is now in question. The Government wants to get 1,500 new social homes built by community housing providers (CHP) nationwide and it has confirmed strategic partnerships with five large providers to get them built by June 2027.
NTHT director Carrie Mozena says it will pause the trust’s future development plans that are not already in place, as it works out the funding path ahead.
“We’re frustrated, we’re disappointed, and we’re prepared to persevere and be patient,” she says.
“What is now in question over the next two to three years, will NTHT be able to secure further government funding for new builds and that’s what we don’t know.”
She hopes the trust will be able to work with one of the five CHPs that have a partnership signed up with the Government, but that will be more difficult and a slower process.
A spokesperson for Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) - explained that under the new funding model the strategic partners identify potential projects and it will be up to them to decide which developers they will work with to deliver the homes in each locality.
The Government expects the new framework for strategic partners will enable faster and more efficient delivery of new social homes. The typology and location of the specific places that CHPs have identified for social housing aligns with need and 15 per cent of that is in the Nelson area.
At the same time, all CHPs will be able to apply for funds through the new Crown lending facilities and loan guarantee scheme which is designed to support the growth of the CHP sector to build social housing.
In the meantime, Carrie says the trust’s developments will continue on those sites that have been secured and funded, while a proposed Richmond site for 14 homes is progressing but yet to be confirmed. The trust is also looking at a “really good” site in Stoke.
“It is a long, complex process to deliver new housing so what is required is consistent long-term effort to build more social housing and more affordable rentals.”
She says the level of housing supply has not kept up with population growth around the country, and regardless of the Government’s focus on larger centres, the housing crisis is particularly felt in the regions.
