The Queenstown Lakes District Council is transferring ownership of five senior housing units to the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust.
The five units in Upton St will remain in permanent community ownership, providing ongoing access to affordable housing for eligible local seniors.
A council statement late last month said the asset transfer would also enable the trust to obtain a mortgage to redevelop adjacent land it owns in Wānaka to further increase the number of affordable housing units available in the district in the future.
Council property and infrastructure general manager Tony Avery said the transfer would allow for more specialised management of the senior housing portfolio.
"Housing is one of our district’s biggest challenges. [The] council is committed to supporting and amplifying the work of the housing trust as we work together to improve housing options for everyone," he said.
Trust chief executive Julie Scott said she was excited to be bringing the important community asset into the trust’s portfolio.
"Our team is well-equipped to look after these vulnerable tenants, and we look forward to developing the site further," she said.
The transfer of titles follows formal consultation and a decision by the council to remove the senior housing stock from its strategic assets register.
There are four further council-owned senior housing units in Arrowtown. These units would also be transferred to the housing trust at a later date, the statement said.
