About CHFA
CHFA brings together the strength of capital markets and the impact of community housing to give investors the social bonds they want, while unlocking the finance CHPs and affordable housing providers need.
CHFA’s efficient model and lower operating margins, trusted partnerships and Crown facility all result in a reduced cost of borrowing. This means CHPs and affordable housing providers can focus on what matters most – giving more New Zealanders affordable, safe, warm, and dry homes.
Our strong foundation enables us to work with capital markets through our social bond programme, providing investors with opportunity to achieve returns while creating positive social impact.
We also work with the government to collaboratively support the efficient delivery of more affordable housing throughout the country.
History and purpose
CHFA was founded by Community Finance in 2024, extending the success of its work with CHPs since 2019. We were created to tackle one of the sector’s biggest challenges: access to efficient, scalable finance, so providers can focus on delivering more homes, faster.
CHFA’s model is designed to create better outcomes for investors and borrowers alike. Traditional lending often left the community housing sector with limited or
costly options. Community Finance, and now CHFA, have transformed this by bringing government support, impact investors and debt capital market investment
together.
In 2025, CHFA will issue New Zealand’s first social bonds through a domestic issuer, developed in accordance with the Social Bond Principles, 2025 and the Social Loan Principles, 2025.
Community Finance - Our Manager
CHFA is managed by Community Finance, New Zealand’s leading impact investment platform for housing. Community Finance brings expertise in structuring, managing, and delivering housing finance at scale, with a proven record of advancing over $350 million in lending since 2019.
In 2024, Community Finance launched CHFA as a natural next step, in response to growing demand from community housing sector for its lending services. Moving to an affordable housing aggregation model was the logical upgrade needed for New Zealand.
To learn more about Community Finance, you can visit its website by clicking here.
One of the key benefits of operating as a social enterprise is our ability to raise capital to support community housing from a wider range of philanthropists, socially-minded investors and charities.
Our shareholder mix includes registered charities, such as the Tindall Foundation and Hoku Foundation, and socially-minded investors including Anna Stuck, Impact Investments Limited, Lindsay Investment Trust, K1W1 and Edgar family interests.
We are proud to be 100% New Zealand owned, founded with a social driver and purpose.
Our team
CHFA is led by a team of finance and affordable housing specialists, guided by our Board and supported by Community Finance, its manager.
We bring valuable experience in capital markets, risk management and housing with this blend of expertise allowing us to work confidently with government, investors, and community and affordable housing providers.
James Palmer
Chief Executive | BA LLB
James is the Chief Executive and founded Community Finance in 2019. James originally practiced as a commercial lawyer and then was Chief Executive of a non-bank deposit taker, managing almost $250m.
Challenged by the scale of our country’s affordable housing crisis, James launched Community Finance with a dream of positively transforming Aotearoa and using finance as a force for good.
James is an EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 New Zealand Finalist.
James was awarded the 2021 INFINZ University of Auckland Business School Emerging Leader.
Andrew Allan
Andrew is the Chief Financial Officer, joining Community Finance in October 2020.
Andrew was previously the General Manager of Finance and Operations at Christian Savings. Prior to this he worked across numerous roles within Finance at Vodafone NZ and was an auditor at Ernst & Young.
The opportunity to combine his experience as a qualified chartered accountant, degree in property and passion for supporting the wider community was a catalyst for joining the Community Finance team.
Luke Strom
Luke is the Chief Operating Officer of Community Finance. Before joining Community Finance, he practised as a property and commercial lawyer. He is passionate about creating positive social outcomes through impact investments and in particular about playing a part in the delivery of healthy and affordable homes at scale.
Emily Roughton
Chief Risk officer
Emily is a Registered Legal Executive and the Chief Risk Officer of Community Finance. Prior to joining the Community Finance team, she worked as the Risk Officer for a Non-Bank Deposit Taker and in that role was responsible for review and oversight of risk management across all facets of the business. Emily is responsible for ensuring that Community Finance’s Governance, Risk, Compliance and Control Strategies are designed and operating effectively.
Emily brings with her a combined experience of nine years in the legal profession and is a great addition to the team.
Catherine Linton
Catherine is an experienced Executive Assistant who previously supported James in his role of CEO of Christian Savings. After returning from many years working overseas in the not-for-profit world, she was for 5 years Executive Assistant to the CEO of World Vision, and is delighted to continue working for organisations that aim to improve the lives of New Zealanders.
Shelley Stoddart
She brings over 20 years of experience in finance roles across New Zealand and the UK, including project management, financial systems, and business partnering. Before joining Community Finance, Shelley was the European Business Manager for Deutsche Bank’s Communications, CSR, and Sustainability team.
She is passionate about creating positive social and environmental outcomes through impact investing.
Ashleigh Yee
Ashleigh is a Chartered Accountant who has joined Community Finance as a Financial Analyst. Prior to joining the team, she was based in Wellington, where she worked as a Senior Consultant at Deloitte. While Ashleigh has worked across multiple industries, she is delighted to have the opportunity to apply her skills and work with Community Finance to help deliver quality affordable housing in New Zealand.
Steven Moe
CHAIR | LLB(Hons), BA
A lawyer who has practised since 2001, Steven is qualified in New Zealand, England, Wales and Australia and has worked in London, Tokyo and Sydney for more than a decade as well as in New Zealand.
He is the author of books such as “Social Enterprise in New Zealand: A Legal Handbook” and is the host of the Institute of Directors’ podcast, “Board Matters” on leadership and governance. He is also a facilitator for their Company Director Course. Steven is a partner of Parry Field Lawyers and leads their Impact Team supporting many purpose-led organisations across the country.
Jo Glen
Director
Jo brings over 30 years of experience in financial services having worked in stock-broking, investment banking, funds management and banking. Specialising in risk and compliance over the last fifteen years, she has worked for both global corporates and local institutions, supporting them to manage their risks and obligations and ensuring they have appropriate systems, policies and processes in place.
Jo provides strong governance and regulatory oversight to the Community Finance Board. A keen social conscience and a desire to contribute has seen Jo serve on community boards and committees, and she advocates to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
John Horrell
DIRECTOR | BCOM, CFA, CAIA
John has a professional background in the investment industry, with experience in investment consulting and asset management. He is a co-founder of Makao Investments, an independent investment consulting business, and was a board director of CFA Society New Zealand.
John works with large investors throughout New Zealand and the Pacific, offering advice on investment governance, asset allocation, and manager selection. He is passionate about impact investing and enjoys helping organisations to align their investments with their core mission and objectives.
Simon Palmer
DIRECTOR
An experienced lawyer/General Counsel with 40 years of experience in private practice (20 years with Hesketh Henry and 20 years in boutique commercial firm Palmer & Associates) and 5 years as General Counsel with Lindsay Investments.
Simon’s breadth of experience in the law encompassed providing commercial and property legal advice to Carter Holt Harvey Limited and the LVMH Group of companies in Australasia over 35 years and advice on strategies, commercial transactions, compliance and risk mitigation to a wide range of private companies and the principals of those companies.
That advice extended into governance advice and personal directorship roles in many private companies – particularly those involved in joint venture property development and through the ECC Group in the manufacturing and lighting industries.
Simon brings an analytical brain, debating rigour and attention to detail to the Board to support the management team of the Community Housing Funding Agency and the essential role it plays as a specialist financial intermediary and bond aggregator supporting the growth of the community housing sector in New Zealand.
Jared Barton-Hills
A seasoned financial markets leader with 25 years of experience in credit trading across Wellington, Sydney, and Auckland. Jared has held key roles such as Head of Credit Trading Australia at Citigroup and Head of Credit Trading Australasia at ANZ, where he oversaw price-making for the full credit landscape and managed a significant A$5bn secondary market book. Jared’s expertise encompasses a comprehensive understanding of credit instruments, market conditions, investor preferences, and the optimal strategies for issuers and investors navigating financial markets. Jared is skilled at translating market data into actionable insights for strategic decision-making.
Jared has worked with Community Finance since 2023. Jared supports the team as its Treasury Advisor, actively working with the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer.
Shamubeel Eaqub
Board Advisory | BCOM(Hons), CFA
An experienced economist with over a decade’s industry experience, Shamubeel is also an author, media commentator and a thought leading public speaker who makes economics accessible. Shamubeel provides economic consultancy on a wide range of business and policy topics.
He sits on several boards of charities and commercial firms and prides himself on providing a voice for those who are unheard.
Awards and recognition
CHFA and Community Finance are regularly recognised for our innovative and effective model, and our industry-leading role in reshaping housing finance in New Zealand.
Recognition for CHFA and Community Finance includes:
