First Project – 80 Waiheke Rd
Siteworks are progressing steadily now. During October and November we have:
finished installing the substantial earthworks and piling for the driveway, giving us truck access onto this tricky site and space onsite to store materials for the house build, with final retaining walls now underway
removed only enough bush to provide level platforms for the house piling, water tanks and septic system
placed the order for the kitset house supply so that building works can commence early in January
Run in the power supply and provision for fibre and an electric vehicle charger. This enabling work has substantially de-risked the project for the trust and its loyal investors, having now been largely completed within the projected budget and timeframe. Alongside the building works we have been developing the tenant selection guidelines so that we can look forward to the joyful task of selecting the mix of tenants we feel will gain optimum benefit from living in secure new rental accommodation next year. The property comprises a 4 bedroom house for a working family saving to buy their first house, a 2 bedroom flat for an older couple, and a single bedroom fully accessible flat for a temporarily or permanently disabled single person. We are confident this tenant mix will be a stable, mutually supportive group of up to nine people.
Next Housing Project
We have been working all year with a very generous community-minded property owner who intends to leave a substantial 3 bedroom house on a double section to the trust in their will. We now been able to progress plans for a wonderful project to add a tiny house on each site as a secondary dwelling and in due course build another 3 bedroom house on the second section. We hope this will be a model project for the trust to engage with other would-be benefactors.
Future Projects
We are finding that our longer term goals require constant reassessment. At the same time as the housing crisis deepens, central and local government regulations are heightening the already difficult challenges facing current property owners and further discouraging potential new owners from even considering long term rental to permanent residents. However given the clear indications of further financial support from our current and potential investors and benefactors, we will press on with purchasing, co-owning or leasing existing residential properties with room to add sleep-outs, extra bedrooms or tiny houses on the same site.
Initially we will work with existing owners who don’t necessarily want to sell up or move but who need help finding creative paths to more affordable housing for themselves or their families.
We will also build and leaseback new pod houses, either on foundations or trailer based, for owners who wish to add an affordable small rental on their site. We will help those owners get through the Council created consenting forest as an extra service. The trust will then find and manage the right tenants and get the right priced help with property maintenance.
Co-Housing Initiative
As housing costs rise and availability sinks, this concept is now finally gaining momentum in NZ. We are providing support and advice to two groups pressing on with co-ownership schemes and the trust continues to seek a large rural property within the RUB that could be suitable for a co-housing venture. If we can work with the existing owner we will seek investment partners willing to form a Community Land Trust – along the lines of papakainga community title. That CLT will hold the land in perpetuity and charge a ground rental to user partners wishing to develop buildings that could accommodate a variety of potential end uses including affordable rental housing. Building communities rather than just houses provides for a more sustainable future and successful NZ models already exist that are highly appropriate for Waiheke.
The co-housing concept is now the normal form of tenure for housing developments in much of America and Europe but is struggling for a foothold in NZ. On Waiheke particularly it challenges Council’s overly restrictive bias towards visitor accommodation and holiday homes. Early in the New Year we intend to hold an open workshop session to discuss the co-housing concept with interested land owners, development professionals, Central Government ministers and building officials, the new Local Board and key Council officers. Please contact me to register your interest in taking part
All the best for Christmas and the New Year
Paul Carew