Christchurch housing shortage receives $75m boost

File photo / NZ Herald

The housing shortage in Christchurch has received a $75 million boost, the Housing Minister announced today.

Nick Smith and Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel have established the Christchurch Housing Accord to address the lack of homes for people undergoing housing repairs and rebuilds in Christchurch following the earthquakes.

Dr Smith said the Government would invest $75 million in the accord, and the Christchurch City Council would invest $50 million in a new housing entity.

"The housing problem in Christchurch is huge with so many homes munted by the earthquakes, many more requiring such major repairs that residents need temporary accommodation and the additional housing required for the rebuild workforce," he said.

"The register for access to the existing 120 houses in the four current villages has doubled to 400, as the pace of the recovery has increased and the shift to more complex home repairs that require families to vacate for a longer period."

Two villages will be developed on council-owned land in Colombo Street and Welles Street. A total of 180 homes will be built, providing more temporary accommodation while homes are rebuilt.

The $75 million will also go towards 270 homes being built on the proposed Awatea block on Carrs Road.

"This additional temporary accommodation assists the wider housing market by reducing the upward pressure on rents from these short-term tenancies. These developments will also revitalise the central city by re-establishing a residential population," Dr Smith said.

He said the accord would allow the council and government to work together as a one-stop shop for the construction of new housing, and was an important step forward for Christchurch.