Seed funding supports affordable housing solutions on the Kāpiti Coast

Kāpiti Coast District Council has allocated $85,000 from the previous Government’s Better Off Fund towards a second round of its Community and Affordable Housing Seed Fund, supporting four local projects to move forward with early-stage affordable housing solutions.

Kāpiti Coast Deputy Mayor and Environment and Communities Chair Martin Halliday says the seed fund is designed to help community led projects move from concept to delivery by supporting early planning, partnerships and feasibility work.

“Our 2026 funding round was significantly oversubscribed, with seven requests totalling $217,400,” says Cr Halliday.

“This level of demand reflects the strong desire by not-for-profit, iwi and community organisations to make a difference, and the very real housing pressures being felt across our community.

“While we can’t fund every application, this support helps projects take important next steps, from feasibility work to strengthening capability, bringing more housing solutions closer to reality.”

The successful recipients for the 2026 funding round are:

• The Sylvia Irwin & Pamela Watson Memorial Charitable Trust – to support future affordable rental accommodation
• Ra Awatea Whānau Trust – site feasibility assessments for papakāinga homes
• Kāpiti Housing Solutions Trust – to strengthen capability and readiness for housing delivery
• Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai Holdings Limited – site feasibility assessments and masterplanning

This round of seed funding builds on the success of Council’s 2024 Seed Fund, also supported by Government’s Better Off Fund. $200,000 was allocated across six projects, delivering tangible results across Kāpiti and improving access to community and affordable housing. This included 10 new discounted rentals in Paekākāriki delivered by Te Ahuru Mowai and 12 tiny cabins built by Te Kura-a-iwi o Whakatupuranga Rua Mano students in Ōtaki.

Cr Halliday says Council remains committed to working alongside community housing organisations to enable more affordable housing solutions across Kāpiti.

“Seed funding like this plays a small but important role in unlocking bigger outcomes for our district over time.”