104 | COMMUNITY Habitat for Humanity Nelson: Rutherford Street Development 20 Elms St, Wakatu Industrial Estate, Nelson Ph 543 9222 www.laserelectrical.co.nz “Totally Dependable” Electrical Services • Domestic, commercial and industrial wiring • Design build projects • Air conditioning, home ventilation, security and CCTV • Floor heating • Oven repair specialists • Electrical repairs (24/7 callout service) • EV Chargers Proud to support Habitat for Humanity Proudly supporting Habitat for Humanity - Nelson Creating healthy communities The 18-home affordable rental development on Rutherford Street, designed to provide long-term stability for working families and residents struggling to secure housing. T T Kelly Deeks Housing affordability pressures across Nelson and Tasman have prompted Habitat for Humanity Nelson to take a major step forward, with construction progressing on an 18-home affordable rental development on Rutherford Street, designed to provide long-term stability for working families and residents struggling to secure housing. The new complex, due for completion later this year, marks the organisation’s first purpose-built affordable rental development of this scale, and reinforces Habitat’s wider mission of improving access to quality, secure housing throughout the region. Habitat Nelson chief executive Katrina Bach says the Rutherford Street project differs from Habitat Nelson’s established Progressive Home Ownership programme, which helps families transition into home ownership over time. “Rutherford Street is different,” Katrina says. “This is an affordable residential rental complex designed for long term tenants. The rents are set at affordable levels based on household income and capped at a percentage of that income. The intention is to create secure, long-term housing.” The development includes a mix of townhouses, apartments, and studio units, with one-, two-, and three-bedroom options available. Six townhouses will sit alongside an apartment building that includes twelve units, with the ground floor apartments having been designed as accessible homes. Katrina says the aim is to create more than simply housing, with the development intentionally designed to foster a connected community environment. “The average tenancy in New Zealand is around 18 months, meaning families and children are constantly moving and changing schools,” she says. “We wanted to create a place where people can settle in for the long-term, build relationships, and feel part of a community.” The Rutherford Street homes have been designed by Design Base Architects with a focus on durability, energy efficiency, and liveability. The 18 homes incorporate high-performance building systems, including external insulation systems applied to precast concrete panels, uPVC joinery, passive ventilation features, and ducted SmartVent systems to improve warmth and indoor air quality. Katrina says the organisation was determined to avoid compromising on quality despite the project’s affordable housing focus. “The intention is to create homes that will still be serving the community in 50 years’ time. We want these homes to have longevity and durability.” To deliver the project, Habitat Nelson partnered with Naylor Love for the first time. As one of New Zealand’s largest commercial construction companies, Naylor Love brings significant experience in community housing projects, apartment developments, and largescale commercial builds. Katrina says working alongside experienced delivery partners gave Habitat Nelson confidence as it moved into a larger and more complex style of development. “When you are stepping outside your comfort zone, you surround yourself with people who are firmly within theirs,” she says. “Naylor Love understands developments of this scale. Their systems, processes, and experience have helped remove a lot of the uncertainty for us.” Katrina says Habitat Nelson continues to look for future development opportunities across the region, and every project remains focused on community benefit rather than commercial return. “We are a charity. The people moving into these homes are working families and the middle-income squeeze is very real. Safe, secure housing improves health outcomes, supports children at school, and gives people stability. Our philosophy has always been to give a hand up, not a handout.” “We wanted to create a place where people can settle in for the long-term, build relationships, and feel part of a community.”
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