More affordable homes for Queenstown Lakes
Eight Wānaka families have been allocated affordable homes – five buying for under $430k – thanks to the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust (QLCHT).
The homes are the first of 28 in Stage 1 of the QLCHT development site at Longview, Lake Hāwea.
The families are moving in under a range of housing tenures including Public Housing Rental, Affordable Rental, rent-to-buy and the Trust’s Secure Home ownership programme.
QLCHT chief executive Julie Scott says: "Home ownership opportunities under $430k are very scarce in the Queenstown Lakes.
"But under the Secure Home programme, the household buys in based on the cost of house construction and then pays a below-market ground rent on the land. It’s a very affordable option for families and couples, particularly in this economic climate."
The one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom homes – built by local construction company Breen Homes – are selling for between $350k and $427k. The average ground rent is $117 per week.
"We have 28 homes to allocate in this first stage of the development, and we encourage any Wānaka locals to review the eligibility criteria and programme details on our website," Scott adds.
The developer of Longview, Universal Developments, gifted 58 sections to the QLCHT through the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s Inclusionary Housing process, when applying as a Special Housing Area in 2018.
Queenstown Lakes mayor Glyn Lewers says: "This welcome development shows the value of the land deal we initiated at Longview, Lake Hāwea and the benefits of QLDC working in partnership with government and the housing trust.
"We look forward to more land being made available under the inclusionary housing process, which is helping to create more affordable housing options for the community."
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development will also provide support with a 15-year interest-free loan through its Progressive Home Ownership Fund. This fund forms part of the Government’s bid to increase alternative forms of home ownership around New Zealand.
Further allocations of Longview homes will continue throughout this year.
One of the new builds in Longview, Lake Hāwea
