INSPIRING HOME OWNERSHIP THROUGH KAITIAKI

We know there’s a severe housing shortage in the Waikato region. A report published by the Waikato Housing Initiative states that there is an estimated housing shortage of 8,050 homes across the region (2023, view report here). In the report it is additionally stated that ‘projections indicate a need for approximately 62,000 additional homes in the Waikato region by 2043’.

The Waikato Community Lands Trust was founded in 2020 with the primary purpose of supporting the provision of affordable housing to meet the diverse needs of the community in the Waikato region. Our vision is that every person and every family in the Waikato is well housed.

Our aim is to do this in various ways, but with a focus on holding land for housing in perpetuity and serving as the long-term steward for affordable housing on behalf of the community. This is a ‘kaitaki’ model of home ownership, where we, as the Waikato Community Lands Trust, act as long-term guardians of the land houses are built on.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Land, or funds to purchase and develop property, is donated to us from local councils, donors, or inclusionary zoning actions. We then ‘hold’ the property to ensure its affordability over time, and the homes built on the land are managed by our partner Habitat for Humanity.

We have partnered with like-minded agencies to enable affordable housing for all. In addition to working with Habitat for Humanity, we are also part of the Waikato Housing Initiative, a collective of community members, businesses and representatives of local and central government, united by the shared concern for housing issues and a desire to improve housing outcomes within our communities.

ADVOCACY AND INFLUENCE

We also advocate for inclusionary zoning and other policies to enable the construction of affordable housing on Trust land.

Inclusionary zoning ensures that new housing developments include a mix of affordable properties alongside market-rate properties. This promotes diversity and creates more inclusive communities.

As we grow, our aim is to also influence government policies and bank credit policies that encourage and grow affordable housing stock in the Waikato.

For us, it’s a long-term game, but we’re committed to achieving housing equity in the Waikato region, and we’d love for you to join us on our mission.