Affordable Housing Efforts Welcomed
The Nelson Tasman Housing Trust is applauding significant moves to improve Nelson¹s affordable housing problem.
Trust spokesperson Ian Kilgour said the Nelson City Council's approval of its Community Housing Asset Plan came on the
back of last week¹s release of the Report on Affordable Housing commissioned by the Centre for Housing Research. He said
Nelson was chosen for this extensive research project because it experienced the worst affordability crisis in the
country, with house prices rising 70% between 2002 and 2004.
"Government has recognised the positive responses of the local community and the Council in tackling the housing
problem. Housing Innovation Fund money has been attracted to this region through the Housing Trust and through
Abbeyfield¹s partnership with Nelson City Council to build the proposed Mata Close community house," he said. "This
development and the council¹s plans to upgrade Orchard Flats and Blackwood Street bed-sits demonstrates to us the
council support of community housing."
Captain Kilgour said Affordable Housing Research identifies 25 practical solutions to improve affordability, many of
which involve facilitation or action by the two local councils.
"We look forward to working constructively with them and the co-ordinator appointed by the government to instigate some
of these initiatives," he said. "The trust believes that housing is too important to be left to the vagaries of market
forces, and sees the need for a strategic approach.
"We realise councils may not want to get into further direct provision of housing, but much can be achieved through
facilitation to help find creative solutions to the housing problems people are facing. This issue is also about the
economic growth of our region and the housing needs that will continue to increase as our population grows."
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