In today's headlines with Wilhelmina Shrimpton, NZ’s history-making Olympics, ChCh cathedral blow for businesses and Wellington’s slow economic recovery.
Napier resident Michelle Courtney used to have neighbours on both sides of her home.
That changed earlier this year when five of her neighbours’ public houses along Lister Cres in Maraenui were knocked down, to make room for a development of 30 new public homes.
Construction was set tobegin later this year as consents were granted for the Kāinga Ora project.
However, Government housing agency Kāinga Ora is now reviewing the housing project which could be scrapped or redesigned.
Michelle Courtney once had neighbours. She wants to see housing return to the vacant section surrounding her home. Photo / Gary Hamilton-Irvine
Kāinga Ora told OneRoof some of the 21 projects would still go ahead, but if any weren’t found to be financially viable or in a priority location they could be redesigned, repurposed or the sites sold off.
Courtney said there was huge demand for more housing in Hawke’s Bay and she would love to see Kāinga Ora build homes on the vacant section.
“The development had received resource consent and it was estimated construction would begin this year. However, it was not contracted for delivery and is now under assessment,” she said.
“This project will be assessed as we confirm priority locations and renewal budget and optimise construction methodology to ensure best value for money.
“It is too early to say when a decision will be made on this site. When a decision is made, we will keep the community informed.”
Over the past five years, 621 social homes have been built in Hawkes Bay.
Early this year, a review into Kāinga Ora found the country’s biggest landlord was underperforming and not financially viable.
Housing Minister Chris Bishop confirmed Kāinga Ora would not be given any more operating funding to grow its social housing portfolio, but allocated $140 million towards funding 1500 new social housing places to be provided by Community Housing Providers (CHPs).
Gary Hamilton-Irvine is a Hawke’s Bay-based reporter who covers a range of news topics including business, councils, breaking news and cyclone recovery. He formerly worked at News Corp Australia.
