Buyers shortlisted for sale of state houses

Housing New Zealand Minister Bill English said the shortlisted organisations had submitted high quality expressions of interests. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Four potential buyers have been chosen for the Government's sale of hundreds of state houses in Tauranga and Invercargill.

In Tauranga, where 1124 state houses will be sold, Accessible Properties, Hapori Connect and Kainga Community Housing Partners have been shortlisted to buy and manage the properties.

In Invercargill, where 348 state houses are being sold, Pact Group has been shortlisted to take on the properties.

The Government was now asking these community housing organisations to submit formal proposals to purchase and manage the state houses.

A preferred bidder for each region would be chosen in the third quarter of this year.

Housing New Zealand Minister Bill English said the shortlisted organisations had submitted high quality expressions of interests.

The National-led Government plans to sell up to 8000 state houses to charities, iwi and non-government providers as part of major reforms of the social housing sector.