Manawatu Standard

More social housing for Palmerston North

- Jono Galuszka

Palmerston North is set to get another 39 new social houses as the state housing provider continues to attempt to tackle the massive wait list.

Kā inga Ora is proposing building the houses, which will include a community room and communal spaces, on vacant land on Crewe Cres.

There was an online informatio­n session about the plans earlier in the year, when Covid-19 restrictio­ns were in place, but people living nearby have been invited to a drop-in session tomorrow.

Kā inga Ora regional director Graeme Broderick said staff were keen to figure out the community’s views on the project.

‘‘We encourage anyone who has feedback or questions to attend the drop in session and meet the team.’’

The proposal comes on the back of Kāinga Ora entering a $33.7m deal to buy 50 homes from an upcoming developmen­t on North St. There is also significan­t pressure on the housing register, with the wait list in Palmerston North going from 147 families in June 2018 to 762 in June 2022.

Broderick said delivering more housing would make a huge difference to those waiting families. ‘‘There are many families in the region who do not have a suitable place to live.’’ The drop-in session is at the Hokowhitu Scout Hall on Ayr Place tomorrow from 4.30pm until 6pm.

 ?? DAVID UNWIN/STUFF ?? Plans are afoot to build 39 new social homes on vacant land on Crewe Cres, Palmerston North.
DAVID UNWIN/STUFF Plans are afoot to build 39 new social homes on vacant land on Crewe Cres, Palmerston North.

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