110 | Practical solutions to affordable housing The Golden Bay/Mohua Affordable Housing Project (GBMAHP) is making strides in tackling the chronic shortage of quality affordable housing in the region. T T Bernadette Cooney COMMUNITY My GB Housing In the picturesque region of Golden Bay, hope is shining a little brighter amidst the housing challenges that have long plagued the area. The Golden Bay/Mohua Affordable Housing Project (GBMAHP) is making strides in tackling the chronic shortage of quality affordable housing in the region. In a region where privately owned holiday homes often sit vacant for months while workers struggle to find affordable long-term rentals, the GBMAHP is an agent for positive change. Since its inception, the Mohua Affordable Housing Trust has demonstrated its commitment to providing practical solutions. Six new homes have been completed, with plans for more on the horizon. These homes offer a range of rental and rent-to-own options, ensuring that residents have access to affordable and sustainable housing solutions. “There are now half a dozen families who are no longer in a vulnerable housing situation,” says GBMAHP executive officer Chris Bennett. “We’ve built six and they are all occupied. One has sold to a beneficiary, two of them are run by the Tasman District Council as part of their social housing programme, then we have one the trust is renting out and we have two that are rent to own.” The latest development proposal sees the trust seeking to collaborate with the Nelson Anglican Diocese to build 22 pensioner apartments in central Takaka. This partnership represents a promising step forward in the quest to alleviate the housing shortage in the region. Chris is optimistic about the project’s potential impact. Chris brings a wealth of experience to the initiative and a background in global engineering which included reconstructing homes destroyed by tropical Cyclone Ian at Tonga’s Haápai island group in 2014. While setbacks, such as the denial of resource consent for a previous project to build 14 flats for seniors and people with disabilities on Reilly Street, have been disappointing, the trust remains steadfast in its commitment to providing suitable housing solutions. Discussions with the Anglican Church offer renewed hope for the realisation of the 22-apartment multi-residential dwelling. “The district council have expressed support for this project, and that offers hope that we can build 22 apartments that will really break the back of the serious house shortages,” says Chris. “We’re still a couple of years away from breaking ground on the project and still need to raise around $7million, but we’re hopeful that by collaborating with the church on land they have designated for pensioner housing in the past, we can get the project over the line,” says Chris. The GBMAHP is tailored to address the unique housing crises facing the region, which often fall outside the scope of state-funded public housing initiatives. With over half of the Golden Bay population unable to afford their own homes and a severe shortage of rental properties, the need for action is clear. The Trust’s surveys show that renters move on average once a year, live in unconsented and substandard housing, and are often homeless. For those interested in learning more or supporting the GBMAHP, visit online at www.mygbhousing.info. CHAMBO’S DIGGER HIRE • Certifying Drainlayer • House Sites • Trenches • Landscaping • Gravel Supply • WasteWater Systems 027 222 9416 chambosdigger@gmail.com 39 Abel Tasman Drive, Takaka 7110 H P Hanna Ltd, Chartered Accountants 3 Picton Avenue, Addington, Christchurch 8011 • P: 03-3798-790 • E: hphanna@hphanna.co.nz • www.hphanna.co.nz Proud to support and work together with My GB Housing. H P Hanna Ltd, Chartered Accountants of Christchurch – continuing to provide professional accounting and business advisory services, with your best interests at heart. WHOLESALE BL I NDS D I RECT Custom made Roller Blinds | Custom made Roman Blinds | Custom made Venetian Blinds Affordable Quality Blinds (Approximately 2k for an entire 3 bed home) GET IN TOUCH Jason Hira 021750090 wbd@wholesaleblindsdirect.net www.wholesaleblindsdirect.net
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