The Private Bill will allow ŌCHT to share its proven expertise and deliver much-needed affordable housing solutions to regions with real need, ŌCHT board chairman Darren Evans says

As Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust chairman I'm acutely aware the issue of housing affordability extends far beyond Christchurch. Communities across the South Island are grappling with a growing crisis that demands innovative and effective solutions - solutions ŌCHT continues to successfully apply.

While ŌCHT has made significant strides in Christchurch, our ability to extend that success is currently constrained by the limitations of our Trust Deed.

Our Trust Deed, the foundational document that governs our operations, understandably focuses on the specific needs of Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. However, this geographical restriction now presents a significant barrier to addressing the wider South Island's housing needs. In essence, a simple rule is preventing us from fully utilising our expertise and resources to help our neighbouring communities.

The Bill is not merely a procedural adjustment; it's the key to unlocking our potential to serve communities in need, wherever we are needed. It's about removing the constraints that currently confine us, enabling ŌCHT to share its proven expertise and deliver much-needed affordable housing solutions to regions with real need.

We've had numerous inquiries from councils, community organisations, and other stakeholders from our neighbouring regions and across the South Island, all seeking our assistance. They recognise the effectiveness of our model and believe ŌCHT can play a vital role in alleviating housing stress in their areas. This Bill is a direct response to those calls, a recognition that the housing crisis requires a collaborative, region-wide approach.

It's important to emphasise that this legislative change will not diminish our commitment to Christchurch. Our work in our home city remains a priority. In fact, a stronger, more sustainable ŌCHT, operating across a broader regional base, will be better equipped to serve Christchurch and all our communities in the long term.

Here's why. By removing the geographical restrictions, we can optimise our operations, streamline our processes, and achieve greater economies of scale. This will enhance our overall capacity to deliver housing solutions, both in the regions and in Christchurch. A wider operational base will also provide greater financial stability and resilience. This in turn will enable us to attract more investment, access more funding opportunities, and ultimately reinvest more resources into addressing housing needs within Christchurch, and where they are needed most.

Furthermore, operating in new communities will facilitate a valuable exchange of knowledge and best practices. We can learn from the innovative approaches being implemented in other regions, and share our own successful strategies. This will lead to more effective and efficient housing solutions in all areas, including Christchurch.

The ŌCHT Board firmly believes this Bill is not just about expanding our organisation; it's about strengthening our ability to address a critical social need across many communities. It's about removing a legal obstacle that currently prevents us from fully deploying our proven expertise where it's needed most.

We are committed to working closely with our partners in Christchurch and across the region to ensure a smooth and effective transition. We are confident that this legislative change will create a more resilient, sustainable, and impactful ŌCHT, one that is better positioned to serve the housing needs of many communities, including those in our home city.