The Nelson Tasman Housing Trust owns and operates rental homes that make a huge difference in people’s lives, allowing them to put down roots in their community. We currently have 69 affordable rental homes in Nelson and Richmond for people on low to modest incomes and we aspire to grow to 120 homes by 2028.

The trust started in 2004 as a community response to the growing housing crisis in the Nelson region. This area has long had a severe housing shortage and has some of the least affordable housing in the country. The Nelson Tasman Housing Trust works to develop more good quality, affordable rental homes for the growing numbers who cannot afford to purchase a home, where they can live long-term.

Our homes are all new builds, designed to be warm, dry and energy-efficient. Most have solar hot water or photovoltaic panels to reduce the cost of power for residents. Many are wheelchair-accessible or cater for people with low mobility.

Each year, tenant surveys tell us our homes mean a lot to the families living there: they have a place they can call their own, where they feel safe and secure. Residents appreciate improved living environments, which are good for their health and mental well-being. They value having secure tenure, which provides peace of mind and enables them to participate in school, work and the local community. On top of that, their rent is affordable, which frees up funds to spend on other necessities such as food and clothing.

The Nelson Tasman Housing Trust has several new projects underway, including a new planned development of 10 affordable rental homes in Stoke. The homes will be a mix of one and two bedrooms, for older people and people with mobility issues. At least four homes will be wheelchair accessible. The need for such housing is growing, as Nelson’s population ages and the rates of home ownership decline. Statistical trends indicate there will be more and more seniors on low incomes who need affordable rental housing.

The trust welcomes donations for this development – either one-off donations or multi-year pledges – which will help us to leverage further funding from government and charitable funders. Upfront capital is the simplest, most powerful way to reduce our cost of borrowing and enable us to offer below-market rents for people in need. Every donation helps build a home that will change lives.