Resident of a dangerous Housing New Zealand block, forced to move at short notice, have all been re-housed, says Housing New Zealand.
The 131 residents of the Gordon Wilson complex in central Wellington were told last week they had to leave because there was a high risk of the facade collapsing in an earthquake.
Manager Tenancy Services Wellington Jackie Pivac said there had been a limited number of houses available for the 131 residents from the complex but they had been successful in re-housing 69 of them in central Wellington and the rest further afield.
"We prioritised those with children, so that children could continue going to the same schools. The next priority were people with mental health and other health issues; we have found new homes for them close to their medical services, and the third group that we prioritised were those people in employment. So we have found properties that are close to or in reasonable distance from people's employment,'' she said.
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Advertise with NZME.Wellington City council had provided additional homes for the residents evicted from the Housing New Zealand block.
Some of houses were temporary and they would have to move again, but the tenants would be able to remain in council housing under Housing New Zealand rules for six months until housing New Zealand properties were found.
Ms Pivac said some residents had elected to move to Auckland and Hawkes Bay.
"It's been a huge effort but people have been successfully re-housed. A lot of them are looking forward to living in a less intense environment.
Labour spokesperson for housing Grant Robertson said that some people had been re-housed in motels and were unhappy with where they have been placed.
He wanted to know what will happen to the site.
