Moana Court kept

The Moana Court social housing in Titahi Bay is to be managed by Wellington City Council, it was decided last week.

Porirua City Council resolved that the Te Pene Ave flats would remain in PCC’s hands and as social housing, in publicly excluded business at its December 12 meeting.

The council recognised, however, that an experienced housing provider was better suited to manage the 26 units, mostly occupied by elderly people.

‘‘They [WCC] are the second largest provider in the country after Housing New Zealand,’’ Porirua Mayor Nick Leggett told Kapi- Mana News after the meeting.

‘‘We never wanted to take people out of their homes, despite what some in the community are saying, so the outcome we have is a good one.

‘‘This will improve the social service element we have at Moana Court, it’s efficient and best for tenants.’’

Mr Leggett said as they were sharing more services with other councils today, such as water and landfills, then housing was a logical step.

Wellington City Council will manage and maintain the units, with PCC paying for any upgrades.

Kapi-Mana News understands PCC will pay $20,000 to WCC to manage Moana Court.

Mr Leggett confirmed that the present rent cost of $77 would probably rise as WCC would seek to charge at market rates.

In public speaking time at last week’s meeting, Moana Court tenant Robert Overend said the council’s review of the flats had a been a ‘‘sad, stressful business’’.

He was annoyed to hear about a change in management from Kapi-Mana News, rather than the council.

He believed the description ‘‘ social housing’’ for Moana Court should be replaced with ‘‘pensioner housing’’.

‘‘Social’’ has a wider context, which does not necessarily work in the situation we have.

‘‘I think whoever runs it now should retain rents as they are, because they will get a financial return.’’