A Wānaka housing project that will provide affordable rentals to seniors has received a $100,000 grant from a local trust that helps people in need in the Upper Clutha.
The housing project, which is being developed and managed by Queenstown Lakes Housing Community Trust, received the six-figure donation from the Elsie and Ray Armstrong Charitable Trust recently.
The financial contribution will go towards the development of 10 affordable, one-bedroom units along with two three-bedroom family units on the corners of Upton and McDougall Sts in central Wānaka.
The concept first began in November 2022 when the community trust bought a section in McDougall St — beside five council-owned rental properties — with the intent of developing the vacant lot into affordable rental units for seniors.
Last year, the Queenstown Lakes District Council approved the transfer of ownership and management of the five neighbouring properties to the trust, following public consultation.
Currently in the planning phase, the housing project will contain 12 units across both sites, stage one consisting of civil works and new builds on the empty section, followed by the redevelopment of the existing site.
Community trust chief executive Julie Scott said the grant was greatly appreciated, especially in the current economic climate.
The trust would fund the project, estimated to cost $5 million-$6m, but grants like this one were vital to ensure ongoing costs to residents could be kept to a minimum, she said.
"It will allow us to provide additional features such as solar panels, a communal laundry space and shared services, including a highly efficient hot-water heating system to the 12-units.
"These extra infrastructure benefits will provide substantial financial support to the occupants by significantly reducing power costs."
Elsie and Ray Armstrong Charitable Trust trustee Simon Telfer said the group was excited to contribute towards the important community project.
"The elderly are an important demographic in our local community who need support and we are thrilled about what this project will provide them," Mr Telfer said.
"We’re pleased this grant helps to kick-start the development and hope it leads to others supporting our fellow Wānaka residents."
The site is located within 200m of the Wānaka Community Hub, which provides critical services and amenities to many local seniors.
Trust Wānaka tenancy manager Emma Roberts said the demand for affordable senior housing was growing.
"We have a lot of people aged over 60 living in the district, and some encounter unfortunate and unexpected circumstantial changes, which are outside of their control," Ms Roberts said.
"For many of these people, their only option is to upheave their lives and leave town.
"By offering an alternative rental option it allows them to have a greater sense of security, which is important as the local population grows and ages.
"And with 250 eligible Wānaka households currently on our waiting list today, we have significant demand for this type of housing," she said.
Ms Scott said tenants in the five existing units would be cared for by the community trust throughout the build process and would have the chance to move into one of the new units before stage two began.
"All going to plan, we hope to break ground on the first stage in the middle of this year." — APL
