Building Forever Homes for Older Ashburton Residents

Safe, warm and affordable housing provides more than just a place to live. It creates security, independence and a stronger sense of belonging. In planning a new Cambridge Street development, Haven Housing is helping ensure more older people in Ashburton can continue living in the community they call home.

A Community Need

Ashburton faces a growing shortage of affordable rental housing for older people living on modest incomes. Many of the housing options available are ageing and no longer provide the warm, healthy and comfortable homes people deserve.

Recognising this need, Haven Housing set out to create a lasting solution, one that would not only provide quality homes with security of tenure and Healthy Homes compliance but also support the wellbeing and independence of older members of the community.

A Vision Becoming Reality

Building on the success of their Cameron Villas renovation and Mona Square development, Haven Housing has partnered with the Ashburton District Council to develop ten modern, single-person rental homes on Cambridge Street.

Designed specifically for older residents with limited means, these homes will provide safe, affordable accommodation while enabling people to remain connected to the community they know and love.

Working Together

Projects like this are only possible through collaboration.

Ahu Community Trust has been proud to support Haven Housing as they worked to bring their vision to life. By investing alongside other partners and supporters, Ahu is helping create homes that will make a lasting difference for older people across the Ashburton District, and a model for other communities to.

More Than a Home

The impact of this project extends well beyond bricks and mortar.

A warm, affordable home provides stability, dignity and peace of mind. It allows older people to continue living independently, remain connected to friends and family, and enjoy a better quality of life.

These are the kinds of community outcomes Ahu Community Trust exists to support. By partnering with organisations like Haven Housing, we can help create places where people are able to take root, grow and flourish.

Looking Ahead

Construction is starting soon, with resource consent approved, designs completed and building consent progressing. Once finished, the Cambridge Street development will provide ten new homes that will continue supporting older residents and strengthening the Ashburton community for many years to come.

Inspired by the success of their investments into Haven Housing, Ahu has also been exploring what more it could do to promote community housing, and has commissioned a report from Community Housing Aotearoa into the options.  This is due out before the end of 2026.