Five new four-bedroom affordable homes are well underway in Blenheim’s High Street and are planned to be available to working families by spring.
Trustees from Marlborough’s Sustainable Housing Trust viewed progress on the homes last week, being built for the trust by local property developer Richard Anderson and his company RLA construction. The Trust is funded for the housing through the previous Government’s Affordable Rental fund and a community loan from the Rātā Foundation.
Outgoing trust chair Dr Bev James says they will be available for an affordable rent to low-to-moderate-income working families that cannot afford a market rent.
“As four-bedroom, they are suitable for larger families. In particular, key workers will be sought as tenants, such as those working in primary industries, health care, education and training, manufacturing and construction.”
“We will be looking to rent these at an affordable rent so that’ll be quite a saving for some working families.”
This is the second major housing project by the Marlborough Sustainable Housing Trust. Last November, tenants took possession of three 4-bedroom homes which the trust built for low-income families coming out of transitional or emergency housing.
Bev James will chair her final meeting next week of the trust she and others started in 2008 after becoming concerned at the lack of affordable housing for families in need.
“I’m proud to complete my tenure with two projects that together will house eight families with accommodation they’d struggle to afford or be beyond their means.”
Bev says the trust will continue looking for opportunities for further such projects amid a huge need in Marlborough for affordable housing. “Recent research shows that over 60% of those living in private rentals in Marlborough can’t really afford to pay the median market rent and nearly 90% of private renters have little chance of buying a home here. “
Bev James says with such stark figures, community housing providers like the Trust need all they help they can get. “If you have some land you are prepared to donate or sell at a good price, please let us know. Our trust wants to continue building homes for those who can’t afford them here in Marlborough – and it starts with some land.”