Award for affordable housing initiative

A GROUND-breaking programme helping Queenstowners become homeowners has received international recognition for its innovation in the housing sector.

The Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust won the ‘leading innovation’ award at the Australasian Housing Institute’s annual ‘Brighter Future Awards’ for its secure homes programme last month.

The accolade recognises new thinking, initiatives or projects in the sector that have led to significant change in an organisation, with lessons and models that can be broadly applied to other housing organisations.

The first of its kind in New Zealand, the programme, used for the likes of Frankton’s Toru Apartments (above), provides affordable, long-term housing through a 100-year lease arrangement between the trust and the household, with the trust retaining ownership of the land in perpetuity.

Trust chair Richard Thomas says the award’s a tribute to years of innovation, and they’re
proud to be leading the way.

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