Our story

Since 2000, Nelson Tasman has been one of the least affordable housing regions in New Zealand. Rents and house prices have steadily increased, but wages and benefits haven't risen at the same rate.

The Nelson Tasman Housing Trust was established in 2004 as a community response to the housing crisis in Nelson and Tasman. We work with central government, local councils, and many other community agencies to improve access to good quality, affordable housing for people on low incomes.

We are a registered Community Housing Provider and a member of Community Housing Aotearoa, the peak body for the community housing sector.

We are governed by a board of trustees made up of community and business leaders from Nelson and Tasman.

Over the past 15 years the trust has built 54 homes at a cost of $13 million (we lease one other home). During that time we have delivered Crown-funded public housing developments to the value of $6 million, as well as several affordable rental housing schemes. We reinvest any operating surplus to help build more homes.

• We currently provide homes for 135 people.
• Our occupancy rate is consistently over 99% and our tenant turnover is very low - under 10% most years. 
• All our homes are energy-efficient new builds, with double glazing, full insulation, heat pumps and most have solar hot water panels or photovoltaic panels as well, to reduce the cost of power for residents.