Community homes for Horowhenua

A new housing plan will bring up to 30 new public homes to Horowhenua in the next four years.

The Government is partnering with community housing providers to build the houses, part of a goal to build more than 6400 new dwellings across New Zealand by 2022.

District councillor Barry Judd, who is chairman of the council’s community wellbeing committee, said he was pleased the Government had recognised Horowhenua had a shortage of affordable, healthy homes.

‘‘Our committee, which includes a wide range of central government and local service providers, has been working to ensure the needs of our communities are known to the Government.

‘‘Sadly, our levels of deprivation are up there with Northland and the East Coast – there is a significant need for more homes.’’

More than a quarter of the district’s residents were older than 65 and some struggled to find suitable and affordable housing.

He said this was a problem being made worse by population growth and a 15 per cent rise in house prices in the past year.

‘‘About two-thirds of the 30 builds will be one-bedroom homes,’’ Judd said.

‘‘These will be ideal for our more vulnerable elderly population.

‘‘It will be a welcome addition to the market.’’

Alongside this, the council was creating a master plan for a 2000-home development to the east of Levin and another large development opportunity in Foxton Beach that will soon be announced.