Manawatū trust praised for providing homes to those in need

With its housing stock at 99% capacity and a new block of flats about to be leased, Manawatū Community Trust has been lauded for its efforts sheltering residents in Feilding.

The trust, which is focused on providing housing, strengthening healthcare options and reducing poverty in the town, was congratulated for its “continued excellent performance” by Manawatū District Council this week.

Manawatū District mayor Michael Ford said the trust’s performance had been outstanding. He could recall when the occupancy rate was closer to 60% and residents he’d spoken to recently were “happy in their homes”.

The council-controlled organisation presented its six-monthly report to councillors on Wednesday. Its goal to provide 250 homes by 2030 was tracking well, with 205 homes currently available.

The council was particularly pleased with progress made towards new housing in Feilding, general manager of community Lyn Daly said. This included the soon-to-open Manawanui housing complex on Prince St, comprising four rentals - two standalone two-bedroom homes and one duplex with two two-bedroom units.

Manawanui and other trust rentals were intended to offer housing on a needs basis for those in the district who qualified as low income, and were over the age of 65 or over the age of  55 and living with a disability.

The homes were designed “with tenant wellbeing in mind” and catered to older adults with limited or modest finances, MCT general manager Teresa Hague said.

At the meeting, councillor Colin Dyer said the council was very grateful for the work done by the social housing provider. “It’s a wonderful thing we have.”

The waiting list for existing and new accommodation was already at 30 people. Hague said some people could be offered a unit within a few weeks if the stars lined up. "Others who are suitable but safely housed may wait a year or more... we do turn people away very frequently. “Unfortunately we are not able to house everyone in need ... It’s always disappointing to send people away”.

Councillor Alison Short asked if Manawatū Community Trust would broaden its demographic to fit those sleeping the roughest. Short told Local Democracy Reporting there was a “visible increase in house-less persons” in Feilding and the wider district, who fell outside of the 55+ year demographic.

Hague said she wouldn’t rule out considering wider criteria, but there were no plans or capacity to do so at present. “We do aim to help people we can’t house by referring them to organisations that we think can help them.”

Construction for another housing complex, at Corrick Court in Feilding, began in January and is expected to be ready by July 2027.

https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360961284/manawatu-trust-praised-providing-homes-those-need