Ted formed a partnership with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to deliver two community housing developments which offered a mixture of social housing, private market housing and affordable housing through Kiwibuild.

Through this partnership, the Ministry of Social Development leased 163 apartments for 25 years directly from the Ted Manson Foundation, which are then subleased to Home in Place, formerly known as Compass Housing Services NZ. This model was part of a new funding framework being trailed in Auckland which sought to increase private sector investment in the development of community housing.

Home in Place, a registered community housing provider, provides onsite property and tenancy management services for community housing tenants, in addition to facilitating any support services they may need.

Tenants in community housing pay no more than 25 per cent of their income in rent. The remaining rental cost of these units is funded by the Ministry of Social Development through the Income-Related Rent Subsidy which pays the balance between the tenant’s rental payment and the market rent for the property. Throughout NZ this costs more than $900 million PA.

With both developments now complete, a total of 163 units are now dedicated to Community Housing for a minimum of 25 years. Over this 25-year period the TMF will be responsible-guarantee the exterior of the buildings, services, common areas and apartment upgrades when necessary. On completion of the 25-year period the building will be completely refurbished so the process can commence again.

Both developments are fully tenanted, and all private and affordable units sold. Both Samantha and Ted have met many tenants living in these apartments and beside the fact they are new, the tenants more than happy as they have surety of tenancy for the next 25 years. Knowing the landlord won’t ask them to move out is huge weight off but equally so for their children as they won’t have to move to different schools in the future.

Due to the change of Government in 2017, this model was stopped. This was devastating as it meant a 3rd site at 1843 Gt Nth Rd Avondale the Ted Manson Foundation had purchased-settled and had consent for 134 apartments couldn’t go ahead. We had done all the work and were ready to start construction but couldn’t get traction with the Government and therefore the site had to be sold.

Life Apartments, 38A Liverpool Street, Auckland