In this episode, we explore the work of the Waikato Community Lands Trust, and how community land trusts can provide long-term affordable housing solutions. By separating land ownership from the homes built on it, Community Lands Trusts ensure affordability is preserved in perpetuity.
The Waikato Community Lands Trust currently manages eight affordable rental units in Hamilton East and is actively looking at new models, including progressive home ownership, to give families stability, connection to community, and a pathway to secure housing.
We spoke with May Low, Chair of the Waikato Community Lands Trust and Chief Operating Officer of Kiwi Innovation Network, about how the trust began, the role of partners like Habitat for Humanity, and why inclusionary zoning is critical for scaling this model nationally.
May also shared her wider perspective on the barriers to collaboration, the need to put egos aside in the housing sector, and how her background in innovation shapes her vision for housing as the foundation of a better future for families and communities in Aotearoa.
We'd like to thank May for taking time to speak with us for this episode. More information on this episode can be found in the episode description.
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The CHA Hub Podcast is supported by our Founding Partner: Westpac New Zealand.
