Govt launches $750m housing project

Ministers Bill English and Nick Smith have officially announced the launch of stage two development plans to boost Northcote’s housing supply.

English, the minister responsible for Housing New Zealand (HNZ), said the project would transform 300 existing HNZ properties in Northcote into about 1200 ‘‘warmer, drier and healthier homes’’ with a better mix of size and type. The five-year, $750 million) project would see the number of HNZ homes increase from 300 to 400 and a further 600-800 properties sold as a mix of affordable and market housing, English said.

The development is being delivered by the Hobsonville Land Company (HLC), a wholly owned subsidiary of HNZ.

Redevelopment of Northcote’s social houses has been long overdue, the minister acknowledged on Friday.

One in every 16 homes is owned by the Government, English said.

‘‘And you can tell which ones are ours. The visibility of our houses tells us that things need to change. Both for the development of the city, but for the tenants.’’

Stage one formally began on September 12 with the demolition of the first house in Tonar St, Northcote, which will replace 20 old HNZ houses with 59 new social housing homes. Stage two will transform 38 HNZ homes into 60 new social houses, and about 140 new homes for market supply. The remainder of the houses would be built in further stages.

Hobsonville Land Company chief executive Chris Aiken said the development will invest in community goals and make smarter use of resources.

Kaipatiki Local Board member Lindsay Waugh spoke on behalf of the community. ‘‘The board’s support for this redevelopment was predicated on keeping the same amount of social housing. So we are delighted that these plans will, in fact, retain and increase social housing numbers.’’ However, she said the ‘‘scale of change’’ will impact local services, particularly local schools.

‘‘The community looks forward to hearing the plans the Ministry of Education has to support local schools to meet the growth.’’

The first homes will be completed in June 2017, with the entire redevelopment completed by 2021.

DAVID WHITE FAIRFAX NZ Minister Responsible for Housing New Zealand Bill English speaks to a local after Friday’s Northcote housing initiative announcement.