Housing Reserve

Nelson City Council divested its community housing portfolio to Kāinga Ora with final settlement in March 2021. As a result of this process, the Council agreed to establish a Housing Reserve using the proceeds ($12 million).

Background

On 22 September 2022 the Council opened the Housing Reserve for further applications utilising the Phase One Housing Reserve criteria (see below).

The Housing Reserve has been established on the basis that its purpose would be “to work with and support partners who have the ability to deliver social and affordable housing solutions for the community” and “ Council sees the Reserve as a community asset for which it has a stewardship role.”

At its meeting 5 October 2021 Council approved Phase One of the Housing Reserve. Phase One is a $2 million grants programme. Its objective is- To be invested to support and enable partners to deliver an enduring supply of new affordable housing in Whakatū Nelson.

Phase One was open on 7 October 2021 to applications from Community Housing Providers registered with the Community Housing Regulatory Authority and/or Iwi Trusts. Applicants need to have a local presence and be well-positioned to deliver new affordable housing in Whakatū Nelson.

Phase One has now been completed with two grants allocated, $850,000 to Nelson Tasman Housing Trust for te development of 99 Muritai Street, and $1million to Habitat for Humanity for the development of 623 Man Rad Stoke.  Read more.

On 22 August 2022 the Council opened a Phase Two, allocating a further $2million as grant funding.  $1million was granted to Nelson Tasman Housing Trust for the development of 76 Dodson Valley Road and a further $1million to Habitat for Humanity for the development of 181 Rutherford Street. Read more.

On 22 September 2022 the Council opened the Housing Reserve for further applications utilising the Phase One Housing Reserve criteria.  No applications were received.

Current applications and guidelines

On 10 December 2022 the Council established the Community Housing Acceleration Taskforce, whose role is to advise on how the Council can grow, as quickly as possible, the stock of community housing using the Housing Reserve with the goal to double the number of community housing houses from 50 to 100 by 2026.

On 10 March 2023 the Council (on the recommendation of the Community Housing Acceleration Taskforce) changed the guidelines for grants from the Housing Reserve, these can be viewed in the link below.  Applications can be received on a continuing basis from not-for-profit Community Housing Providers registered with the Community Housing Regulatory Authority and/or Iwi Trusts. Applicants need to have a local presence and be well-positioned to deliver new affordable housing in Whakatū Nelson.  Applications should use the Application Form provided in the link below and will be assessed and reported to the new Council for consideration. 

Downloads

For more information please email housingreserve@ncc.govt.nz