MEDIA RELEASE

8 April 2016

New major social housing development opened in Aranui

The first of six major Housing New Zealand social housing developments planned in the Aranui community was officially opened today.

The development at 81-89 Aldershot St features 15 two-storeyed units. Ten of these are two-bedroomed homes and there are also three three-bedroomed houses and two, four-bedroomed properties.

Housing New Zealand’s Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Programme General Manager Andrew Booker says some families have already moved in this complex which it has built as part of its overall social housing rebuild across greater Christchurch.

In a symbol of the partnership fostered between Housing New Zealand and the local community, the development was jointly opened by Aranui Community Trust Incorporated Society (ACTIS) chairman Rob Davidson and Mr Booker.

Aranui was particularly hit hard by the earthquakes, Mr Booker says.

Housing New Zealand lost almost 100 homes which were either badly damaged or deemed earthquake-prone.

“This presented Housing New Zealand with an opportunity to replace much of this stock with modern, warm and dry new homes to help rejuvenate the area. Other remaining houses were repaired with many getting improvements such as new heating, ventilation and insulation,’’ Mr Booker says.

Housing New Zealand will build 108 new homes in Aranui in total including 73 across the six larger sites to meet ongoing need in that community.

Mr Booker says today’s official opening of the first major development was a significant milestone.

“Housing New Zealand worked closely with the community around the design and configuration of these new homes, and engagement and feedback was key to getting a positive outcome.’’

Two open day sessions have also been planned at the Aldershot St development for residents and others to have a look through the complex.

The first will be held this afternoon from 1pm-2.30pm with a second event scheduled tomorrow, Saturday, April 9, from 11am-12.30pm.

Meanwhile, Mr Booker says construction is underway on the other Aranui sites with those new homes expected to be completed and tenanted during this year.

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