96 | COMMUNITY Nelson Tasman Housing Trust & Jennian Homes Nelson T T Ange Davidson Bringing affordable housing to region The five new rental homes in the Muritai Street development bring the Nelson Tasman Housing Trust’s housing stock to 55 homes in the Nelson and Richmond area. Providing long term, healthy and affordable rental homes in the Tasman Bay is the Nelson Tasman Housing Trust’s kaupapa. The grassroots organisation has been developing affordable housing for people on lower incomes since 2004 in response to the housing crisis in Nelson and Tasman. In April, a new development at 99 Muritai Street in Tahunanui, Nelson, was completed, and is the latest addition to the Trust’s housing portfolio. The five new rental homes are for families and people on low incomes and bring the Trust’s housing stock to 55 homes in the Nelson and Richmond area. Nelson Tasman Housing Trust director, Carrie Mozena says there is a huge need for affordable housing in the Nelson area as people working on low incomes are unable to sustain private rentals and Kaianga Ora has over 400 people on their waiting list. “About a third of the population in Nelson are on low incomes working in areas like hospitality or fish processing, and they can’t afford market rents,” says Carrie. “We recognise that stable, warm, dry, tenure secure housing underpins community. Once people are housed they can put down their roots and settle into schools and work and be supporting the economy. It’s really fundamental. Security means everything.” Working with Jennian Homes Nelson Bays, the Trust’s development at Muritai Street is a compact housing cluster that maximises the building site and efficiencies in building costs. Four two-bedroom homes and one four-bedroom home are built in two housing blocks with a soundproof shared wall which simplifies roof lines and exterior costs. “The energy-efficient homes are based on the town house model and include double glazing, heat pumps, and photovoltaic panels on the roof to help reduce resident’s power bills. “We have a really productive relationship with Jennian Homes Nelson Bays and have worked with them for over ten years. The staff understand our needs and build to our specifications. They deliver quality and robust workmanship,” says Carrie. The Muritai Street development received significant support from the Nelson City Council, which provided a $850,000 grant, and a private philanthropic donor gave a matching donation. Donations were also received from Nelson Pine Industries and other members of the community. Nelson Housing Trust has another 24 homes in the pipeline and a waiting list of 100 people. Rental income from their homes is used to cover costs, mortgage payments, staff wages, rates and insurance. Any operating surplus is put back into building new homes with the intention that the trust keeps its portfolio of well-maintained homes for generations. “We’re a registered charity and community housing provider so we’re not making money Email: sales@kiwisafe.co.nz www.kiwisafe.co.nz Tony: 021 517 351 Chris: 027 945 1444 As Nelson & Tasman’s longest serving and leading provider of internal fall protection for residential construction, we are proud to supply and support Jennian Homes Nelson. Our systems is designed, tested and certified for NZ house designs and meets or exceeds NZ Health & Safety requirements. Proud to Support Jennian Homes Nelson Bays & Nelson Tasman Housing Trust SPARKS Showroom - 14 Tokomaru Place, Wakatu Estate, Nelson Phone - 03 544 4747 Email - admin@brightsparkselectrical.co.nz Current Generation are specialists in energy and power solutions - including solar, diesel generators, hydro and battery storage. Current Generation BRINGING YOU THE POWER Call Us Today: 0800 202 700 - 03 547 8369 | 129 Pascoe Street, Annesbrook, Nelson 7011 | currentgeneration.co.nz
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