Further $200m boost for community housing
One year on from issuing New Zealand’s first domestic Social Bonds, CHFA has raised another $200 million to finance community and affordable housing across the country.
“With a strong pipeline of new community housing projects taking shape through the Government’s Flexible Fund, this capital is well-timed for the sector.”
“CHFA is working alongside existing partners and supporting new providers as they progress through the Flexible Fund process, offering expertise and access to the lower-cost, long-term finance needed to turn plans into homes,” says Palmer.
The $200 million Social Bond is CHFA’s fourth successful issuance since entering New Zealand’s capital markets in September 2025, with $525 million now issued.
“Our Social Bonds have attracted strong support from both returning and new investors because they offer a genuine win-win – a high-quality investment opportunity that also delivers positive social impact right here in New Zealand.”
The Social Bond programme is part of CHFA’s broader social finance model, which brings together capital markets, philanthropic investment, Crown support
through a $150 million standby facility and an A+ credit rating from S&P Global Ratings.
Together, these enable CHFA to provide efficient, lower-cost, long-term finance to support community and affordable housing providers to deliver much-needed homes across the country.
“The homes our partners deliver improve lives, communities and ultimately New Zealand. These homes can create positive change that impacts generations. That is a compelling proposition, and it is incredibly encouraging to see investors backing the delivery of these homes,” says Palmer.
Funds raised through CHFA’s Social Bond programme are channelled into loans for community and affordable housing providers across New Zealand.
CHFA currently lends to 38 borrowers, with loans totalling $600 million.