Families move into six new Tōtara Street homes

Six Nelson families moved off the Government’s Housing Register in mid-November and into new Nelson Tasman Housing Trust homes in Tōtara Street.

The homes – a mix of two, three and four-bedroom houses – were built on properties previously occupied by two single houses that were owned by Nelson City Council. In 2022, Council accepted a Nelson Tasman Housing Trust (NTHT) proposal to develop the six affordable rental homes and sold the Tōtara Street properties to the Trust at the land valuation of $715,000. 

Councillor Rachel Sanson, Community Housing Acceleration Taskforce Chair, says it is heartening to know six families now have new, quality homes and security of tenure.  

“Many families struggle to find an affordable rental property, especially one they can call home for the long term. Having to move because rents increase, a lease expires, or the property sells, is disruptive for children who may have to change schools. It can also affect employment, wellbeing and prevent people from putting down roots in the community. The families who have moved into these Tōtara Street homes are close to schools and next door to the wonderful Victory Community Centre.”  

Housing remains one of Nelson’s most challenging issues with 294 people on the Ministry of Social Development’s Housing Register as of September. 

“But we know there are so many other people, over 600 households, looking for an affordable rental who are not eligible for the Housing Register. This is why our community housing providers are invaluable, and Council has partnered with the dedicated team at the Trust over many years. Since Council’s $12 million Housing Reserve opened in September 2022, we have provided grants for NTHT developments in Muritai Street, Dodson Valley and Kawai Street,” Councillor Sanson says. 

Nelson Mayor Nick Smith says NTHT is a key part of the solution to Nelson’s housing challenge.

“I set the goal in standing for the Mayoralty to double the Trust’s housing from 50 to 100 over four years. These six homes in Tōtara Street bring to 60 the total the Trust has in the region and there are another 30 in the pipeline.”

NTHT Director Carrie Mozena says the six Tōtara Street homes are the result of hard work by many people.

“The Trust can’t do this alone. Private donors, funding from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, support from Nelson Pine Industries Ltd, finance from our bank, ASB, quality building by Jennian Homes Nelson Bays and the Council’s generosity in selling us the site at land valuation all made this development possible.

“Partnerships are crucial to enable us to build houses as quickly as possible so we can welcome more families into affordable homes.”