The Salvation Army has confirmed the locations of three new housing developments in Nelson, part of a Government programme announced in October to deliver 99 new homes across the Top of the South.
Of those, 81 will be built in Nelson at 156 Toi Toi St, 117–121 Milton St, and 186 Rutherford St, with all three developments expected to be ready for tenants by mid-2027.
The Toi Toi and Milton St projects are being delivered in partnership with the Home Foundation group, while the Rutherford St development is being undertaken with a different developer.
The Toi Toi St site by Victory Square currently houses the YMCA and is set to be transformed into 15 new social housing units – four one-bedroom apartments and 11 two-bedroom terraces.
“The development will provide secure, affordable, and healthy homes in an area with a demonstrated need,” a spokesperson from the Home Foundation group says.
“Many of our tenants stay for 10 years or more, and once they’re part of a housing community, they consistently report high satisfaction with their homes and the support they receive from The Salvation Army.”
Materials from the former YMCA site will be donated to local charities, with initial support also directed toward YMCA programmes.
At 117–121 Milton St, 27 new homes are planned at the former Milton Chalet Motel site – 14 two-level, two-bedroom terraces and 13 one-bedroom apartments.
Contents from the former motel will be donated to St Vincent de Paul, Whakatū te Korowai Manaakitanga Trust, and Tāhunanui Community Trust, and Fire and Emergency New Zealand plans to use the building for training ahead of demolition.
“A deconstruction approach aims to maximise salvage and repurposing of materials, and all required environmental controls will be in place throughout construction,” the spokesperson says.
Both projects are funded by Home Capital Partners via the New Zealand Housing Fund, development managed by Kāinga Maha, and built by Home Construction – all part of the Home Foundation group.
The third development, at 186 Rutherford St, will be a three-storey complex of 39 units – 30 one-bedroom and nine two-bedroom homes.
Construction will be carried out by Signature Homes, with design by Circa Morris Nunn Walker of Tasmania. Dunedin developer Russell Lund is funding the project, and The Salvation Army will lease and manage the properties.
Greg Foster, territorial director of social housing and property for The Salvation Army, says the goal is to provide long-term housing for people needing housing.
“Nelson Tasman is a priority area for social housing as determined by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. In addition, the Nelson City Council have made it easier and appealing for providers to build in the region.”
All homes are targeting at least a Homestar 6 rating, with high-quality insulation, effective ventilation and passive solar design to create warmer, drier and more energy-efficient environments.
The projects will also support jobs and procurement in the region, prioritising local subcontractors and suppliers.
Construction for all sites is scheduled to begin in early 2026 and finish by mid-2027. Once completed, The Salvation Army will lease the homes to provide long-term, secure, affordable and healthy accommodation for whānau.
Information sessions will be held throughout the process for neighbours.
