Source: New Zealand Government
The work to get more people into stable housing is continuing at pace in Christchurch, with six additional homes delivered in partnership between the government and community housing provider Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust, says Housing Minister, Megan Woods.
“These new houses in Glovers Road in Halswell, built to the Homestar 7 standard will provide warm, dry homes in a secure and developed community for whānau with schools and services in close proximity. It is the 12th new development delivered by ŌCHT a community housing provider since 2019.
“That is 235 whānau now living in new warm, dry homes and there are more to come.
“It represents a significant investment in public housing in Christchurch and Canterbury. These new homes are environmentally friendly, have high performance insulation, heating and ventilation, and were built with increased use of timber to reduce embedded carbon.
“Total investment into the development is now $5.3 million with a 25-year contract for ŌCHT to run it as public housing. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with ŌCHT and working together to build more new public homes in Christchurch,” Megan Woods said.
Also in Christchurch, the Government’s public housing provider, Kāinga Ora has demolished four older homes and replaced them with ten new four-bedroom homes on Centennial Avenue in Riccarton.
Completed in late August, the Centennial Ave houses are in addition to the 38 new public homes provided this winter in locations across the city, including new housing in Shirley, Woolston, Dallington, Avonside, and Burwood.
This new housing continues the public house building momentum with 420 new homes delivered in Christchurch over the past five years. A further 180 homes are planned for delivery over the coming 12 months.
Notes to Editors:
- ŌCHT was formed in 2016 to reflect the wish of the Christchurch City Council (CCC) to move to a financially sustainable model for its housing portfolio. The Council capitalised OCHT with $50 million of land and public housing. Over time it will be redeveloped into warmer, drier, more efficient housing.
- ŌCHT was one of the first Community Housing Providers (CHPs) to go through “Gateway 1” of Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s new Strategic Partnering Model for public housing delivery via CHPs.
- ŌCHT is also one of six members that collaborate to deliver the Christchurch Housing First initiative
The Government’s programme to address the housing crisis
- Major investment in rebuilding the public housing sector (10,000 additional homes and counting).
- Interest limitation rule exemption for build-to-rent sector to enable the delivery of more quality, long-term rental supply.
- Investment in Māori housing to deliver up to 1000 new homes, repairs and maintenance to 700 homes, and infrastructure support to enable for 2,700 home sites ($730 million Budget 2021)
- $3.8 billion for critical housing infrastructure like pipes and roads to enable new housing
- Cutting red tape for urban development to encourage more new housing in areas where people want to live
- Support for first home buyers; affordable homes, grants and loans and Progressive Home Ownership
- Affordable Housing Fund to support new developments
- Building Consent System review to unlock productivity and more affordable homes
- Commerce Commission market study to pave way for fairer deal on key residential building supplies
