Home for Good: Queenstown's Inclusive Housing Horizon

By Poppie Johnson

The headlines scream about housing unaffordability and soaring prices. It’s not a new story. But there’s a quiet revolution taking place that might just change the landscape forever—and for good.

The Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust (QLCHT) is known for pioneering new ideas to keep people here and ensure the community remains diverse, thriving, and inclusive. The Queenstown Lakes District Council’s proposed amendments to the District Plan for Inclusionary Housing (IH) are underway. Formalising these agreements might just be the innovative solution this area desperately needs.

Inclusionary Housing: A Community Lifeline

IH isn't a new concept, but its formal introduction into local policy promises revitalisation. It’s the idea that when land developers benefit from the community's natural assets, a small slice of that pie – be that land or cash - should serve the public good. Specifically, to ensure that affordable housing isn't just a fleeting promise but a lasting commitment. This is achieved by requiring most new residential developments to contribute to the district's affordable housing, either through land donation or financial contributions which would then be held by QLCHT in perpetuity.

This amendment could be a game-changer. The IH plan, currently under review, would require new residential developments to make a contribution to affordable housing. Since 2003, a similar informal process has resulted in ten housing developments, providing roofs over the heads of 275 local households. Further developments totalling over 100 homes are underway in Arrowtown, Hāwea, Mount Cardona Station and Hikuwai.

Now, there's an opportunity to make this a mainstay, to ensure that the community's growth includes everyone, not just those who can afford ever-increasing market rates. The QLCHT’s Secure Home scheme and affordable rental programmes are how these contributions transform into real homes.

A Trust at the Heart of the Matter.

Since its inception, QLCHT has become a cornerstone for families, individuals, and seniors struggling in a challenging housing market. Through its clearly defined housing continuum and programmes of support, it has transformed IH contributions into homes, fostering stability and continuity in the community.

Nerin Square at Lake Hayes Estate was the first development under this model, and other major projects have been delivered in Shotover Country, Albert Town, Northlake and many more. These developments are providing pathways to homeownership and reshaping the narrative around social housing.

Richard Thomas, chair of QLCHT, articulates this vision with clarity. "These contributions have been a lifeline," he says. "They've allowed us to assist hundreds of locals - teachers, tradespeople, service workers, and many more - into homes they can call their own."

The statistics are compelling, but it's the human stories that truly resonate. Over half of the 1200 households on the waiting list are families, painting a picture of a community desperate for security and a place to raise their children. The proposed IH rules could significantly dent this waiting list, moving towards QLCHT's ambitious goal of assisting 1000 households by 2038.

The Road Ahead

The IH model promises a sustainable future, one where housing affordability is not at the mercy of market forces but is a deliberate outcome of thoughtful, community-oriented planning. It's a vision where every resident, regardless of age or income, can enjoy the beauty and spirit of the Queenstown Lakes District without the looming threat of displacement.

For those already within developments that have made contributions, there's reassurance that there will be no further contributions required. "Existing agreements will be honoured," Thomas emphasises. "The provisions are designed to ensure a fair and equitable process for new development”.

What sets Queenstown Lakes District apart is its pioneering spirit. If the IH plan change is successful, it could become a model for others throughout the country, demonstrating how community needs can be embedded in the fabric of local governance. The process is nearing resolution with submissions now closed and the hearing commencing at the end of February.

Inclusionary Housing as a Community Commitment

Inclusionary Housing allows for a flexible strategy that adapts to changing needs. The policy promotes the inclusive housing for all residents of the district, no matter what their income. This holistic approach ensures that the housing supply meets the diverse needs of the district's residents.

As QLCHT's Chief Executive, Julie Scott, sums up, "It's about ensuring that our community's future is as vibrant and diverse as its landscape."