| 97 COMMUNITY Nelson Tasman Housing Trust & Jennian Homes Nelson Nelson Tasman Housing Trust director, Carrie Mozena. “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.” but servicing a real need in the community. Nelson has changed a lot in the last 20 years and the cost of land has tripled just in the last few years which makes the cost of purchasing a home incredibly difficult on a low income. People have moved here to retire or to relocate from more expensive areas like Auckland which has pushed the percentage of people living in Nelson who own their own homes up to 70%. The national average is 50%. It’s a perfect storm with incomes remaining relatively flat but real estate prices going up and more people having to rent and less houses available,” believes Carrie. While the private rental market works for many people, insecure tenure and rising rents can be difficult for people on fixed incomes. Market forces are also changing the goal post for property investors. She says new tax regulations on rental properties and updated healthy home standards means many investors are opting to sell their rental property. Combine this with people returning from overseas to their homes during Covid and many previously fixed term rentals are taken out of the market. People selling their rental properties often wish to sell as a vacant possession and renters are given notice to move out. “New Zealand has a structural housing crisis and Nelson is no exception. The population has grown since 1990 but the amount houses being built doesn’t match this. State and rental housing has definitely not kept up with the level of population growth. There needs to greater government investment in housing and long-term rentals,” she says. The Nelson Tasman Housing Trust works with the Government, local councils, and many other community agencies to improve access to good quality, affordable housing for people on low incomes. The Trust currently houses 130 residents with an occupancy rate of over 99% and a very low tenant turnover of under 10% most years. Ph: 027 3466 305 info@totaldecorating.co.nz www.totaldecorating.co.nz NELSON LIMITED STRUCTURAL | CIVIL | GEOTECHNICAL Proud to be associated with the Nelson Housing trust & Jennian homes www.barnettconstruction.co.nz 027 651 2600 | chris@barnettconstruction.co.nz Proud to work alongside NELSON HOUSING TRUST & JENNIAN HOMES NELSON Unit 1,750 Lower Queen St, Richmond P. 03 544 8059 tasmanbayplumbing.co.nz Tree planting with, from left, Nelson Mayor Nick Smith, former Deputy Mayor Judene Edgar, and Trust Tenancy Manager, Tanya Rich.
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