Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust is your local organisation for community housing.
In 2007, the Queenstown Lakes District Council recognised an issue in the lack of affordable housing and acted upon it by initiating the formation of the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust (QLCHT). This trust is an independent, not for profit, community owned organisation.
While there is a steady stream of people willing to move into the District, an unusually high percentage of these people leave the district after 12-18 months. The reasons cited are usually due to the high living costs, with the largest of those being the cost of housing.
QLCHT has a range of housing programmes, each designed to assist eligible low to moderate income households, who contribute to the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of this District and are genuinely struggling to commit to the area because of the housing affordability issue.
Our mission
Our mission is to help committed residents of the Queenstown Lakes District into decent affordable housing with secure tenure.
Our vision
We are:
- Passionate about helping eligible households.
- Commercially disciplined in all our transactions.
- Building an asset and legacy for the community.
- Vigilant for opportunities.
- Confident about innovating.
- Consistent in our dealings with others.
- Mature and receptive to criticism.
- Focused on the local market and its needs.
- Willing to listen.
Our governance
QLCHT is presided over by a board of six Trustees, who between them provide a wide range of expertise and skills. It is well represented by all the relevant professions including legal, financial and property professionals as well as people who know and feel the heartbeat of the community.
Our stakeholders
QLCHT is engaged with a wide range of stakeholders including our households, developers, the community, Council and the Crown.
Our sources of funding
QLCHT has received funding through grants from central Government and also through ongoing contributions of land, buildings and/or funds from private local developers who have committed support for community housing as part of the upzoning process of their land.
Eligibility criteria
In order to be eligible for housing assistance through the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust, your household must meet the following criteria:
- You must have lived in the Queenstown Lakes District for a minimum of six months and have made this your permanent home.
- At least one adult member of your household must have New Zealand Residency or New Zealand Citizenship.
- At least one member of your family must be working fulltime.
- You must not own, or have shares, in any property or land, anywhere in the world.
- You must not own or be a beneficiary of a business or trust that has adequate income and/or assets that enable you to enter into home ownership independently.
- Your total household income from all sources cannot exceed our income caps, as set out below:
| Maximum household income (per annum) | ||||
| Number of people in your household | Public Housing Rental | Affordable Rental | Rent Saver | Secure Home |
| 1 |
Public Housing maximum incomes are set by Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) |
$75,722 | $85,000 | $85,000 |
| 2 | $84,630 | $103,333 | $130,000 | |
| 3 | $92,648 | $113,123 | $130,000 | |
| 4 | $99,775 | $121,825 | $130,000 | |
| 5 | $106,901 | $130,000 | $130,000 | |
Once your eligibility is established, you will go immediately onto our waiting list. Should a housing opportunity arise, the housing programme you enter into will be based on your financial capacity at that time (your household income and deposit).
QLCHT INCLUSIONARY HOUSING SUBMISSION, NOVEMBER 2022
CHECK OUT OUR SHORT FILM!
2020 RENTERS SURVEY REPORT
GET HELP WITH YOUR DEPOSIT
KiwiSaver First Home withdrawal
If you qualify for the KiwiSaver First Home withdrawal, you can access your KiwiSaver funds to put towards your deposit.
KiwiSaver First Home grant
If you qualify for a KiwiSaver First Home grant, you could receive up to $10,000 per KiwiSaver account from the government, to put towards your deposit.
First Home Loan
If you qualify for a First Home Loan, you will only need 5% deposit on your home.
The Kainga Ora website provides information on what you need to do to qualify.
GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE FOR RENTERS
Public Housing
Public Housing is a Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) initiative, which is implemented by Work and Income. Public Housing is income and asset tested and designed for low income households who are experiencing a serious housing need.
QLCHT is registered as a Public Housing provider, which means that we partner with HUD to provide housing under our Public Housing Rental programme, to those households who qualify for Public Housing with HUD.
Through our Public Housing Rental programme, your is subsidised by HUD as low as 25% of your income, whatever that may be.
Find out more about Public Housing here.
Accommodation Supplement
The Accommodation Supplement is a Ministry of Social Development initiative, implemented by Work and Income. It is a weekly payment designed to assist people with their rent, board or the cost of owning a home. Find out more about the Accommodation Supplement here.
