| 63 T T Rosa Watson Nelson housing project providing for families The project is expected to be completed by the end of this year, and is currently tracking ahead of schedule. Habitat for Humanity - Nelson: Tipahi St Houses REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT A Habitat for Humanity Nelson housing development in Tipahi Street will deliver four townhouses in the heart of Nelson South – part of the charity’s progressive homeownership programme, a rent-to-own initiative designed to help families to access homeownership through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Through the programme, selected partner families transition from tenants to homeowners, a process that typically takes five years. Rent paid during this period is accumulated and later used as a deposit when families are ready to secure their mortgage and complete the programme. “We are in the business of building homes and communities that are a great place to live,” Habitat for Humanity Nelson chief executive Katrina Bach says. “In Nelson, we provide practical pathways to home ownership and affordable rental accommodation. Our developments, like Tipahi Street, are helping to meet growing demand in the region for access to affordable, decent homes.” The houses were designed by architects Designbase, with Tasman Homes the main contractor carrying out construction. The development will have three, three-bedroom homes and one, four-bedroom home, each with solar panels and an improved ventilation system to ensure the homes are warm, dry, and energy-efficient to heat. The attractive exterior features different styles of James Hardie Axon Panel cladding and Abodo timber shiplap weatherboards, and Longrun iron roofing. The project is expected to be completed by the end of this year, and is currently tracking ahead of schedule, Katrina says. Families could be moving in by early 2026. The Tipahi St development will deliver the four new warm, dry, and affordable homes for working families that have not been able to access home ownership through the private housing market, often due to an inability to save up a deposit, Katrina says. “Through our rent-to-own model, these families will have the opportunity to build equity over time and work towards long-term home ownership. “Access to secure, stable housing has a positive ripple effect. We know families in long-term rental or ownership arrangements experience better health and educational outcomes, thanks to stronger community ties, improved wellbeing, and fewer disruptions to schooling.” The project had its beginnings when Habitat Nelson was approached with a land purchase opportunity by current owners after the existing home on the site was badly damaged in a fire. “Our ethos is to avoid removing housing just to infill with new housing – we want to add to the housing stock,” says Katrina. “In this instance, the home was destroyed, so we took the opportunity to undertake this development, which provides sustainable urban intensification.” Initial due diligence was undertaken to ensure feasibility and compliance with local planning rules, followed by pre-planning meetings with councils and neighbours. Site-specific design requirements, led by Habitat Nelson, were completed prior to lodging resource and build consents. The project has been made possible thanks to the initial purchase opportunity and additional funding from partnerships with Rata Foundation and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. Habitat for Humanity is a global, faith-based organisation that believes everyone deserves a decent place to live. “We take a people-centred approach to our work,” Katrina says. The charity is driven by the belief that housing is a human right, she says. “Decent housing is the foundation for thriving families and strong communities. When families have a safe and secure place to call home, everything changes, from health and education outcomes to long-term financial wellbeing.” Including Tipahi St, Habitat for Humanity Nelson will deliver 32 new homes over the next two years. This includes a 10-home development in Richmond currently in the pipeline, and an 18-home affordable rental complex planned for Rutherford St. Nelson | Wānaka | Invercargill www.designbase.co.nz architects HOME CONTROL Control4 & C-Bus approved installers Heat Pumps | Security | AV Design & Installation | Lighting Design 34 BEACH RD, RICHMOND | 0800 545 515 ‘ALL ELECTRICAL’ PROUD TO SUPPORT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
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