Fletcher Living wins Government contract to build 191 new Christchurch houses

Under the deal announced today, 20 per cent of the 191 new Christchurch houses being built must be priced at or below $450,000. Photo: Mark Mitchell.

Fletcher Building subsidiary Fletcher Living has just won a huge Government contract to build 191 new Christchurch houses.

Housing Minister Nick Smith and Fletcher Living chief operating officer Steve Evans just announced the deal for the houses to be built during the next two years.

Fletcher has been appointed a preferred partner for the Colombo and Welles housing developments and selected after a competitive procurement process.

Evans said the company was excited to help Christchurch residents return to the central city.

The Colombo and Welles developments were just outside the CBD in a part of the city that is being revitalised.

"It's a vibrant area on the rise with great amenities including green spaces, the nearby retail and innovation precincts and of course all the excitement of central city living.

"Our high quality developments will be great additions to their neighbourhoods with their mixture of homes and shops," Evans said.

Smith said the Government has signed the deal with Fletcher as part of the Housing Accord with the Christchurch City Council.

"The Government's objective with the council is to facilitate more housing in the central city, to encourage innovative design while also ensuring the new apartments and townhouses are affordable.

"Twenty per cent, or 38 of the new homes must be priced at or below $450,000.

"This price limit is set to coincide with the Government's new KiwiSaver HomeStart scheme that provides grants of up to $20,000 to help first home buyers to put together a deposit a new home," Smith said.