We Feature in CORT’s 2025 Annual Report

A home is never just a roof and four walls. It’s where stability begins, where security is found, and where dignity is restored. Our client,  CORT Community Housing continues to shape lives, and their 2025 Annual Report shines a light on both the challenges we face and the progress being made.

The Ongoing Housing Challenge

This year’s report reveals the reality many families in New Zealand are living with before finding a place with CORT. Between April 2024 and March 2025:

• 20% came from supported housing
• 33% transferred to a more suitable property
• 33% of new tenants were previously homeless
• 15% were living in overcrowded or unsuitable housing

Welcome news for the Community Housing sector

The New Zealand Government has introduced up to $150M Crown lending facilities through the Community Housing Funding Agency (CHFA). This aims to lower borrowing costs and expand access to affordable housing via Community Housing Providers (CHPs).

Flexible Funding – Also, the Government’s Budget 2025 Flexible Fund replaces earlier housing schemes with a contestable pool of $41M in operating funds over four years and $250M in capital over ten years, targeting delivery of 650–900 social and affordable homes from July 2027.

Community Housing Providers, Kāinga Ora, and Māori housing providers will all be able to access this funding, designed to respond flexibly to diverse regional housing needs. Great news indeed!

Building Homes That Serve People

Our eight-unit development with CORT, completed this year, set out to prove that sustainability and functionality can work hand in hand with dignity. Each unit, whether one or two bedrooms offers privacy, safety, and warmth, while shared spaces nurture community connection. With three car parks and six bike stands, the project also encourages residents to choose sustainable transport options as part of daily life.

The homes have been designed with care: double glazing, quality insulation, trickle ventilation, and north-facing layouts deliver comfort and energy efficiency. The result? A Homestar 6 rating that reflects our commitment to healthier living environments.

Sustainability at the Core

CORT’s report highlights the importance of future-focused housing, and sustainability was central to our project. Of the 15.9 tonnes of construction waste generated, 80% was diverted from landfill. Timber fencing was repurposed into local projects, plastics and plasterboard were recycled, and even our own branded banners were given a second life as reusable bags for other community housing tenants.

This wasn’t just about meeting targets, it was about showing respect for both the environment and the people who will call these homes their own.

Recognition Beyond Construction

The success of this development was acknowledged at the 2025 Master Builders House of the Year Awards, where Keola received Regional Gold, Regional Category Winner, and the Regional Special Award. The judges praised not only the craftsmanship but also the way this project placed people and sustainability at its core.

For us, the recognition is less about the awards and more about what they represent: proof that responsible, people-first building is possible and urgently needed.

Looking Forward

CORT’s 2025 Annual Report makes one thing clear: demand for social housing continues to grow, and meeting it requires more than just building homes. It calls for collaboration, innovation, and a deep respect for the people we serve.

As families settle into these eight new units, our hope is simple that they find comfort, security, and the chance to build brighter futures. Because housing isn’t just about where people live. It’s about how they live.