Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust De-Registered

The Charities Commission has advised that it does not consider that the Trust’s activities meet its guidelines of registration and plans to de-register the Trust from 15th September.

According to Trust chairman, David Cole, “This decision is no reflection on the Trust and the good work it is doing in the community to solve the affordability issues in Queenstown. It simply means that the Trust’s activities do not comply with a 17th century definition of “poverty”.

“It is clearly one of those issues where the Charities Commission appears to be out of step with government policy.” Cole said

“We continue to work closely with central government and consistently receive both endorsement and funding support for our programmes. We know that government is keen to grow the community housing sector and we know that the Queenstown Trust is very much a blueprint for what government is trying to achieve.”

Cole was keen to stress – “this decision does not in any way affect our homeowners and the Trust will continue its programmes as normal. Trustees have not had time to consider whether there is any merit in an appeal.”

ENDS

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