Eight homes boost stocks
Ka¯ inga Ora is looking at different ways to increase public housing in Waipukurau
Ka¯inga Ora has confirmed its intention to purchase eight, two-bedroom homes for public housing at the new development on Herbert St, Waipukurau, once the homes are completed.
Naomi Whitewood, regional director East North Island, Ka¯inga Ora – Homes and Communities said: “We will take over ownership of the homes when they are finished and it’s expected they will be ready for people and families to move in by the middle of next year.
“We are working collaboratively with the developer to ensure the homes best meet the needs of the people and families who will live here, as well as the community.
“There is an urgent need for more public housing, and the delivery of these homes is welcome progress in getting more people and families out of unstable living conditions and into a warm, dry and healthy place to call home.
Whitewood added: “We work hard to ensure people are placed in our homes that best meet their needs . . . We will be considerate that due to the proximity to the main highway, this location may not be suitable for families with very young children. Nevertheless, we also have other measures to
keep people safe such as our driveway safety programme.”
Kainga Ora is also looking at other ways to bring on more supply in Waipukurau, including more homes at its 118 Porangahau Rd site. “We’re still in the early stages of developing plans for the site and will share these with the community once plans have progressed further. Following community engagement we’re currently aiming to start work around early-mid 2022.”
Whitewood said the organisation is not currently looking at purchasing the old Waipukurau Hospital site.
“Ka¯inga Ora – Homes and Communities is delivering more homes at scale and pace to help meet the urgent need in our communities.
“Across Napier and Hastings we have delivered 165 newly built homes for public and supported housing since 2018, and we are looking at opportunities in other locations such as Waipukurau to deliver more homes to meet the urgent demand for public housing.
“Under the Government’s Public Housing Plan, around 340-590 public housing and 100-170 supported housing places are expected to be delivered across the East North Island region, including Hawke’s Bay and Tairawhiti, by 2024. This will be in addition to other housing aspirations that will be brought to life by Iwi, hapu, community providers and private developers across our rohe,” Whitewood said.