Nelson Tasman Housing Trust director Carrie Mozena has urged the Nelson City Council to implement its housing reserve fund as soon as possible.
Speaking to the council's urban development subcommittee last week, she said granting the $12 million fund now would have a significant, lasting impact. More than 140 people could be housed at once, because housing providers would be able to use the funds to leverage more funding from donors, funders and banks.
In contrast, holding on to the fund and drip-feeding it to housing providers would diminish its impact, she said. Housing costs would only continue to rise so the funds would be worth less in future.
The council established the fund from the sale of its pensioner housing to Kainga Ora and is currently deciding how it should be distributed.
Here is a Stuff article about Carrie's presentation to the subcommittee.