Govt Puts $2.4m Into Housing
Twenty new social housing units will be built at Gowerton Place in Richmond, with the Government agreeing to provide half the cost of development.
Mayor Garry Moore and Housing Minister Chris Carter last week announced the funding deal. Christchurch City Housing is the country’s second-biggest landlord (after Housing New Zealand Corporation). Today it has about 2650 units around the city, providing accommodation at below-market rents for people who otherwise would struggle to house themselves and it does so without subsidy from ratepayers.
The Gowerton Place agreement is in line with recent moves by the Council to encourage social housing partnerships. Last month the Council approved terms of reference for a new working party which is expected to report back by September on how best the organisation can partner with others to ensure the city’s stock of social housing continues to fit the city’s needs.
“This agreement with the Government and Housing NZ is a vote of confidence in the way Christchurch operates,” Mr Moore says. “Over the years the Government has made money available for social and elderly housing and Christchurch and other cities have benefited from it.
“Now we want to expand our partnerships. The working party will be casting a pretty wide net, looking for opportunities. There are many caring organisations such as churches and charities where together we can ensure Christchurch’s social housing continues to be an asset the rest of the country envies.”
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