Online platform to support over 160 providers across Aotearoa
Community housing providers across Aotearoa will soon gain access to a digital resource hub and expanded funding options, thanks to a new partnership between Westpac NZ and Community Housing Aotearoa to boost affordable housing supply.
The three-year agreement includes Westpac’s support for the creation of the CHA HUB—a digital platform that will offer tools, resources, and expert guidance to over 160 member organisations. These members span a wide range of housing sector actors, including community housing providers, social service agencies, developers, local councils, and researchers.
The partnership comes as the country continues to grapple with declining home ownership rates and increasing demand for affordable and social housing. Westpac NZ managing director for institutional and business banking Reuben Tucker said there was growing recognition that financial institutions have a role to play in supporting scalable, innovative housing models.
“Community housing providers could help tens of thousands more New Zealanders into their own homes, through innovative and carefully structured solutions using shared equity and leasehold models, but they need support to scale up,” Tucker said, adding that Westpac has already financed over 700 first home purchases through such models. However, broader sectoral collaboration is still needed to increase impact.
“At Westpac we recently committed to increase lending to the affordable housing sector to at least $1 billion by September 2027. So far this financial year we’ve lent more than $330m to families participating in affordable housing schemes and we’re keen to work with Community Housing Aotearoa’s members to continue this momentum.”
CHA chief executive Paul Gilberd also welcomed the collaboration, noting that the online hub would enhance knowledge sharing among housing providers.
“All of our members can benefit from the solutions and expertise Westpac is contributing as part of this partnership. And ultimately, that means all of Aotearoa will benefit,” Gilberd said.
