Partnering in Ōpōtiki for new homes

Twenty-one new homes are in early planning stages for the 5,600m2 parcel of land on the corner of Wellington and Union streets.

The sale reiterates both organisations’ commitment to increasing the supply of housing in the district for whānau most in need of a home.

Council’s Acting Chief Executive, Miles McConway, says it is clear the housing shortage is one of the biggest challenges facing the district and the sale is a step in the right direction to help ease the shortage in the medium term.

“Addressing the housing shortage is a complex problem and Council is working with a range of agencies in a range of ways to provide short, medium and long-term solutions.

“Kāinga Ora has committed to getting warm, safe, quality housing on this site as soon as possible and at the same time upgrading much of their existing stock. This is great news and it should start making a dent in the long local waiting lists,” Mr McConway said.

Mr McConway also commented that the organisations would continue to work closely together over the coming months.

“The Council-owned site next door has been earmarked for stormwater management purposes. We will ensure we are aligned during planning and building stages to find opportunities to share fill from our site for pre-construction work on the Kāinga Ora site,” Mr McConway said.

Kāinga Ora Regional Director for the Bay of Plenty, Darren Toy, says the purchase of the land from the Council is good news for those in Ōpōtiki most in need of a place to call home.

“We’re delighted to work in partnership with the Council on purchase of this land where we’ll build much-needed quality homes for local whānau. We’re in the early stages of exploring building 21 modern, warm and dry two to five bedroom homes, and will be working to have these homes ready for people to move in to as soon as we can.”

“This is the first large-scale development by Kāinga Ora in Ōpōtiki for many years and will help meet the strong need for more housing in the district, with close to 100 applicants on the Housing Register, many of whom are in need of family-sized homes.”

A letter is being delivered by Kāinga Ora to neighbours in the area this week to let them know about the land purchase and early intentions with it, with further engagement and feedback sought once high-level plans have been developed.

The sale price was $465,000.