Inclusionary Housing that works
Queenstown’s model offers lessons for all New Zealand
Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust Chief Executive Julie Scott explains how Inclusionary Housing has delivered perpetual affordability in New Zealand's most expensive district, where $1.7 million median house prices dwarf $80,000 average incomes among assistance-seekers. For 21 years, QLCHT has captured approximately 5 percent of sections created when council rezones rural land to residential, converting enormous value uplifts into homes for the 1,200-plus households on their waiting list. Mixed-tenure developments like Toru Apartments integrate public housing tenants with assisted ownership and market-rate buyers, preventing concentrated disadvantage whilst spreading homes across multiple subdivisions.
Despite proven success helping hundreds of households through programmes like Secure Home, QLCHT now battles to permanently embed Inclusionary Housing in the district plan against developer opposition threatening Environment Court proceedings. Julie advocates for national legislation to establish clear frameworks, eliminating costly council-by-council legal fights whilst enabling regions nationwide to capture community-created value for community benefit. With tradies sleeping in cars during sub-zero winters and essential workers leaving en masse, the choice is stark: scale proven solutions or watch working communities hollow out entirely.
