- Hon Dr Megan Woods
For the first time in over two decades new, much-needed Government public housing is returning to Wairarapa and the Tararua regions, Housing Minister, Megan Woods has announced.
"Our prudent economic management is helping us maintain a strong pipeline of investment in our regions, and this acquisition of four sites in Wairarapa and the Tararua regions, signals a significant milestone - the return of Government public housing after over 20 years.
"Re-establishing this public housing presence in Wairarapa and the Tararua regions shows our commitment to building momentum in the provision of more public housing across New Zealand, so more people have warm, dry homes where they can thrive," said Megan Woods.
Kāinga Ora, the Government's public housing landlord and urban development agency, has purchased two sites in Greytown and Woodville, and has signed contracts with Jenninan Homes and with Westwood properties to acquire the housing in Masterton.
Kāinga Ora is also working closely with community housing provider Emerge Aotearoa to add a 22 further homes in Masterton.
"It's great to see that these Emerge Aotearoa homes have already been matched to whanau, most of whom have come from emergency or transitional housing and will start to move in over the next few weeks," said Megan Woods.
In Woodville, Kāinga Ora has also been working closely with local councils, iwi and developers which led to the recent purchase of three small sites in the town.
"I want to thank Horizons Regional Council and Wairarapa MP Kieran McAnulty for identifying this public housing opportunity in the Tararua regions. It's a great example of organisations working together to deliver much needed public housing for our communities.
"In total that brings over 50 much needed public homes to the region, with many more in the pipeline", Megan Woods said.
Previously the land had been used as storage for the Woodville Service Centre and has now been earmarked for the development of around nine new public homes.
Notes to Editors:
- In 1999, 541 public homes in Wairarapa were sold.
The Government's programme to address the housing crisis:
- Major investment in rebuilding the public housing sector (10,000 additional homes and counting)
- Investment in Māori housing to deliver up to 1000 new homes, repairs and maintenance to 700 homes, and infrastructure support to enable for 2,700 home sites ($730 million Budget 2021)
- $3.8 billion for critical housing infrastructure like pipes and roads to enable new housing
- Cutting red tape for urban development to encourage more new housing in areas where people want to live
- Support for first home buyers; affordable homes, grants and loans and Progressive Home Ownership
- Affordable Housing Fund to support new developments
- Building Consent System review to unlock productivity and more affordable homes
- Commerce Commission market study to pave way for fairer deal on key residential building supplies
Working with Emerge Aotearoa
- Emerge Aotearoa's focus on social housing in Masterton began back in 2019 as a result of recognition of significant need for public housing investment in the region.
- Emerge Aotearoa's 22 new homes comprise of eight one-bedroom units, 10 two-bedroom homes and four three-bedroom houses.
- Emerge Aotearoa's social housing development has been funded by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
