CORT Community Housing
CORT Community Housing is a New Zealand charitable trust founded in 1987 that provides affordable rental housing and supportive tenancy services for people on very low incomes across Auckland, owning over 310 properties housing more than 540 residents.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersAuckland, New Zealand
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What CORT Community Housing does
CORT Community Housing (legally the Community of Refuge Trust) is a New Zealand-registered charitable trust founded in 1987 by Auckland's Ponsonby Baptist Church to provide affordable rental housing for people on very low incomes. Operating from its headquarters in Eden Terrace, Auckland, CORT delivers three integrated lines of service: (1) social housing tenancy for over 540 residents across more than 390 one- and two-bedroom households, with over 310 properties owned outright; (2) a property and tenancy management service that handles 80 additional properties on behalf of like-minded private owners; and (3) a new-build development programme constructing affordable units across Auckland locations including Dominion, Takanini, Campbell, Sutton, Glynnbrooke, Scotts Point, Mt Wellington, and Puhinui Park. The organization's "supportive landlord model" wraps tenancy around mental health, trauma, and hardship support services, with ImpactLab research attributing a $4.50 social return for every dollar invested and a Te Whatu Ora study showing a 92% reduction in hospital stays after one year of residency.
CORT's revenue mechanics rest on three streams: weekly tenant rent (typically capped at 30% of household gross income), fees from third-party property management contracts, and capital and operating subsidies from the Social Housing Unit, Housing Innovation Fund, and Auckland District Health Board / Te Whatu Ora. Tenant acquisition runs primarily through the Ministry of Social Development's Social Housing Register rather than traditional marketing. The trust is governed by a board of voluntary trustees and led by CEO Stephen Hart (appointed 2022), with functional heads across Development, Finance, and Operations. CORT is accredited as a Registered Class 1 Social Landlord by the Community Housing Regulatory Authority, sits at the centre of the Auckland Community Housing Providers Network (which it helped found in 2010), and operates within consortia alongside iwi collectives (Tamaki Collective), the New Zealand Housing Foundation, Te Tumu Kainga, and developers such as Fletcher Residential and Waller Projects.
Capital expansion is funded largely through government housing programmes — including the Housing Innovation Fund and Social Housing Reform-era income-related rent — rather than equity or debt markets, consistent with CORT's not-for-profit status and its mission of reinvesting any operating surplus into additional affordable supply. The Strategic Plan 2023-2026 formalizes the organization's growth direction across portfolio, partnerships, and sector advocacy.
CORT Community Housing firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CORT Community Housing
- Legal name
- Community of Refuge Trust
- Website
- https://cort.org.nz
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- CORT Community Housing is a New Zealand charitable trust founded in 1987 that provides affordable rental housing and supportive tenancy services for people on very low incomes across Auckland, owning over 310 properties housing more than 540 residents.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CORT Community Housing industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Affordable / Social Housing Services
- NAICS
- Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings (53111)
- SIC
- Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)
Keywords
Where CORT Community Housing is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Auckland
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
CORT Community Housing business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Tenant Rent Payments: CORT collects rent from tenants in its social housing properties. Rent is typically paid weekly and two weeks in advance per tenancy agreements. The organization provides homes for over 540 people across more than 390 households.
- Property Management Services: CORT offers professional property and tenancy management services to other property owners, managing over 380 of its own properties and 80 on behalf of other owners. Services include rent collection, tenancy management, repairs and maintenance, long-term maintenance planning, compliance, and body corporate representation.
- Government Funding and Subsidies: CORT receives funding from government sources including the Social Housing Unit (SHU), Housing Innovation Fund, Auckland District Health Board (for mental health housing), and tenant income-related funding introduced in 2014 under the Social Housing Reform programme.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Weekly | Social housing rental at affordable rates for people on very low incomes |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
CORT Community Housing product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CORT Community Housing provides affordable rental homes to people on very low incomes across Auckland through 390+ one- and two-bedroom units, delivered under a Supportive Landlord Model that pairs tenancy with wraparound health and social support. The organization also delivers professional property and tenancy management services to private owners (currently 80 third-party properties) and runs an ongoing development programme building new affordable housing at sites including Dominion, Takanini, Campbell, Sutton, Glynnbrooke, Scotts Point, and Mt Wellington.
Product overview
CORT Community Housing operates as a registered community and affordable housing organization offering a unified housing service portfolio. The core offering consists of community housing providing homes for people on very low incomes with supportive landlord services, complemented by a property management division that manages over 460 properties (380+ own portfolio plus 80 for other owners). The organization also operates a developments program that builds new affordable housing units across Auckland, with completed and in-progress developments including Dominion, Takanini, Campbell, Sutton, Glynnbrooke, Scotts Point, Mt Wellington, and others. CORT's property portfolio exceeds 390 one and two-bedroom properties housing over 540 people, with over 310 properties owned directly.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- Hospital stays dropped by 92% after one year in a CORT home, with over 33,000 fewer nights in hospital across five years
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use CORT Community Housing
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
CORT Community Housing technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
CORT Community Housing partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Tamaki Makaurau Community Housing PartnershipcoreThe Waimahia Inlet development was created through a partnership between Nga Mana Whenua o Tamaki Makaurau – Tamaki Collective, New Zealand Housing Foundation, Te Tumu Kainga, and CORT Community Housing. The partnership delivered 290 new homes south of Clendon, Auckland, with CORT completing 22 two/three-bedroom homes and four kaumatua units between 2015-2018.
- Auckland Community Housing Providers Network (ACHPN)coreCORT played a pivotal role in forming ACHPN, a collective voice for Auckland's community housing sector. Peter Jeffries, former CEO of CORT, served as Chairperson from 2010-2015. The network shares resources, supports members, and advocates for the sector.
- Puhinui Park Limited PartnershipcoreCORT is taking 20 new units in a new subdivision delivered by Puhinui Park Limited Partnership, a consortium comprising CORT Community Housing, Housing Foundation, and Te Tumu Kainga. The development is within walking distance of Manukau town centre.
- Fletcher ResidentialminorCORT is one of three community housing providers purchasing units in a large mixed tenure development on Crown land constructed by Fletcher Residential. The units are a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom townhouses.
- ImpactLabminorCORT worked with ImpactLab in 2023/2024 to analyze outcomes for housed individuals and calculate social value created. The research used anonymized data and academic research to show $4.50 social return per dollar invested.
- Beacon PathwayminorCORT engaged Beacon Pathway to generate reports on new developments, assessing developments at least one year after tenants moved in and combining ratings with tenant feedback about homes and communities.
- Waller ProjectsminorWaller Projects designed and developed the Mt Wellington property to high specification, with 16 one-bedroom and 3 two-bedroom units constructed with Social Housing Unit funding.
- New Zealand Housing FoundationcoreCORT purchased 13 sections in a mixed tenure development developed by the New Zealand Housing Foundation at Scotts Point, Hobson Point. The two-bedroom townhouses were completed in 2018.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
CORT Community Housing competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Haumaru Housing: Haumaru Housing is an Auckland-based community housing provider offering rental homes to older people on low incomes. It is a direct peer to CORT given its comparable Auckland focus, community/social housing model, and registration as a Community Housing Provider.
- Accessible Properties: Accessible Properties is a New Zealand community housing provider managing social and affordable rental homes across multiple regions. It is comparable to CORT through its shared landlord role for low-income tenants and similar property management service offerings.
- New Zealand Housing Foundation: NZ Housing Foundation is a charitable organisation developing affordable rental housing and mixed-tenure communities. It is comparable to CORT as a co-development partner and sector peer in delivering community housing across Auckland and other regions.
- Community Housing Limited (CHL): CHL is one of Australia's largest community housing providers, managing affordable rental housing and developing social housing stock. It is comparable to CORT through its not-for-profit social housing model, accredited landlord role, and focus on vulnerable populations.
- BlueCHP: BlueCHP is an Australian Tier 1 community housing provider developing and managing affordable rental homes. It is comparable to CORT through its focus on growing social/affordable housing supply, accredited status, and partnerships with state governments.
- LinkPeople: LinkPeople is an Australian not-for-profit community housing and homelessness organisation. It is comparable to CORT through its focus on supported housing for vulnerable people and tenancy/property management services.
- Otautahi Community Housing Trust: Otautahi Community Housing Trust provides community and affordable rental housing in Christchurch. Comparable to CORT as a NZ registered community housing provider focused on low-income tenants with supportive landlord services.
- Compass Housing Association: Compass Housing is an Australian community housing provider offering social and affordable housing to people on low incomes. Comparable to CORT through its mission-driven model, government partnerships, and tenant-focused support services.
Others
- Community Housing Aotearoa: Community Housing Aotearoa is the peak body for NZ's community housing sector, of which CORT is a member. Relevant as an ecosystem/industry organisation rather than a direct competitor.
Emerging players
- The Fono: The Fono is a Pacific health and social services provider in Auckland that includes housing-related support. Comparable to CORT through its wraparound-services approach for vulnerable Pacific communities, though housing is not its primary offering.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
CORT Community Housing social profiles
Digital presenceCORT Community Housing compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
CORT Community Housing financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CORT Community Housing leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
CORT Community Housing funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CORT Community Housing M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CORT Community Housing
What does CORT Community Housing do?
CORT Community Housing provides affordable rental homes to people on very low incomes across Auckland through 390+ one- and two-bedroom units, delivered under a Supportive Landlord Model that pairs tenancy with wraparound health and social support. The organization also delivers professional property and tenancy management services to private owners (currently 80 third-party properties) and runs an ongoing development programme building new affordable housing at sites including Dominion, Takanini, Campbell, Sutton, Glynnbrooke, Scotts Point, and Mt Wellington.
Is CORT Community Housing a public or private company?
CORT Community Housing is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was CORT Community Housing founded?
CORT Community Housing was founded in 1987. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is CORT Community Housing based?
CORT Community Housing is headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does CORT Community Housing make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tenant Rent Payments are the primary driver. The others are property Management Services and government Funding and Subsidies.
Who are CORT Community Housing's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Haumaru Housing, Accessible Properties, New Zealand Housing Foundation, Community Housing Limited (CHL), BlueCHP, LinkPeople, Otautahi Community Housing Trust and Compass Housing Association. Community Housing Aotearoa is listed as an others. The Fono is listed as an emerging player.
Does CORT Community Housing have an API?
No public API is recorded for CORT Community Housing.
What industry is CORT Community Housing in?
CORT Community Housing's product category is Affordable / Social Housing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAC, Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts). Its NAICS code is 53111 and its SIC code is 6513.