More than walls and floors
The Far North is not immune to the demand for more state housing, and can expect the same standard based on the philosophy that state houses are more than a roof, walls and floors.
Housing NZ deputy chief executive Greg Groufsky said first and foremost they were for people in real need of a warm, dry, safe place to raise their families and a place to call home.
“We know from experience that having a healthy home gives people a solid platform from which to build lives and communities,” he said.
In the two years to December 2017, the national housing register — the number of people and families in need of homes — had risen by 77 per cent, from almost 3500 to 6182. In the Far North over the same period, the number rose from 50 to 66.
The numbers illustrated the increasing demand for state housing, but behind the figures were families and vulnerable people who needed a place to call home.
“If we don’t build more housing then we’re failing those families who are, in many cases, living in unacceptable conditions,” Mr Groufsky said.
Housing NZ was meeting that challenge by building in the cities, but now it was concentrating on the regions.
“We haven’t had such an ambitious build programme since the 1930s and 40s, when the government built more than 30,000 homes in less than 15 years,” he added.
“Many of these homes, with their typical tiled roofs and wooden cladding, have served as homes for generations of Kiwis, and still do so today.
“In the Far North we’re looking to build 10 new homes, which will add to the 673 properties that we currently own there. These modern homes are quite different from your typical state house built last century. They will be low-maintenance, fully insulated, with carpets, curtains and double glazing, and easy-to-maintain sections.
“We’re looking to build on both vacant land and, in order to better utilise our existing properties, on land where we already have houses. Any building activity can have an impact on neighbours and our tenants, and that is why we are keeping them up to date with what we’re doing along the way.
“We began constructing these new homes in mid-March, and we should have people moving in by mid-year, in time for winter.
“These new houses have changed in design and materials since the typical state house of mid-last century, but they serve the same important purpose. We look forward to hearing from new tenants as they move into their new, modern homes, and we hope you welcome these new families into your community.”