After years of plans and proposals, an affordable housing development in Arrowtown is a step closer to becoming reality.
The Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust has submitted a proposal to the Queenstown Lakes District Council, asking for it to transfer a 3.6ha site on Jopp Street to the Trust for an affordable housing development.
It is proposing 65 houses of varying sizes on the site.
In a report to councillors, council staff recommend the transfer of land go ahead, subject to approval by Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta.
The Trust also wants to be able to sell ten of the resulting house and land packages on the open market at full value to help offset costs, although council staff have recommended that not be approved.
According to the report, the Trust is looking to build five one-bedroom units, with at least three likely to be allocated for senior housing, 20 two-bedroom homes, and 36 three-bedroom homes.
Under its current zoning, the land is valued at $3-4 million.
With consent to develop 50-60 units, it's valued at $10-11 million.
The total project cost is estimated to be about $27 million.
Last July, the Trust confirmed it wanted to provide up to 70 "warm, dry, affordable and secure" homes on the site.
At the time, the proposal appeared to have the backing of Mayor Jim Boult, who said it would make a "significant" difference to the district’s affordable housing issues.
