NTHT provides quality, affordable, healthy homes and services for people on low incomes. The Trust was established in 2004 as a community response to declining housing affordability in Nelson and Tasman. NTHT has built and owns 43 rental homes and leases 2 others (a mix of affordable and social housing). NTHT now also manages the Nelson City Council Community Housing portfolio of 142 pensioner flats, and administers the Warmer Healthier Homes project, providing insulation for low income residents living in older homes. WHH has insulated over 1000 homes in the past 4 years.

NTHT also collaborates with many other community agencies: providing Housing Advice to people seeking in housing in Nelson, hosting bi-monthly meetings of the Housing Solutions Groups, and Monitoring Housing Need, action research that aims to better inform greater local and central government investment in affordable housing for the Nelson/Tasman region.