Kāinga Ora seeks feedback on plan for new houses in Ruatorea

A computer-generated image of the type of house to be placed on properties in Ruatorea through Kainga Ora. Plans are for the houses to be built in Gisborne and transported up the Coast. Image supplied

Ruatorea residents will this week have a chance to find out more about new social housing coming to the town.

Homes built in Gisborne are to be placed on properties at 9 Amiria Avenue, 7 Holland Place, 10 Holland Place and 25 Barry Avenue.

“Kāinga Ora has early plans to bring at least four new, warm and dry modern homes to Ruatorea in the next 12 to 18 months,” said Naomi Whitewood, the regional director for  Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities East North Island.

Houses have been removed from four Kāinga Ora sites. Some were fire-damaged.

Plans are now in progress to replace them with new homes.

“Kāinga Ora staff will be in Ruatorea on Thursday to share initial plans for two sites in Holland Place, one site in Amiria Avenue and another in Barry Avenue.

“Staff will be at Whakarua Park between 4pm and 6pm.

“We will be putting new housing on these sites and are interested in feedback from those who know the area well.

“We want to make sure the new homes work well and provide the best outcomes for the people and whānau who will live there, as well as the wider community,” Ms Whitewood said.

“We know there is a real demand for larger homes on the Coast so initial plans are to put four-bedroomed homes on the sites.

“Two of the sites also have alternative options.

“It is likely the homes will be built at an off-site manufacturing site in Gisborne and then transported up the Coast.

“Off-site manufacturing is helping Kāinga Ora deliver more public housing in areas where it is needed most.

“The new, low-maintenance homes will be fully insulated with carpets, curtains and double glazing.

They will all have off-street parking and easy-to-maintain landscaped gardens.”