Significant new housing development for Blenheim

Residents will begin moving into the single-level, full universal design homes on the corner of Richmond and Charles Streets in Blenheim later this month. Local iwi blessed the homes at the public housing complex earlier this week.

Julia Campbell, Regional Director Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast, says the homes will help to address some of the urgent need for housing in Marlborough. A total of 216 applicants are on the Ministry of Social Development public housing register in the region, 117 (54%) of whom are waiting for a one-bedroom home.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming people into these new warm and dry homes which will provide a stable place for them to live well,” she says.

One of the new homes on Richmond and Charles Streets in Blenheim

The homes, which are part of the Government’s housing programme, include features that make them more accessible, such as wider doors and level entry access. They have also been built to a 6-Homestar rating, which means they will be warmer, healthier and more energy efficient. All of the homes have their own carparks.

Ms Campbell says four homes were previously on the Charles Street site before it was redeveloped.

“As part of our redevelopment programme, we’re looking to increase the number of homes in Blenheim by replacing some of our older homes on large sections that are past their best with additional warm and dry homes.

“These homes are in a great central location, with shops and other services all within easy reach,” she says.

Ms Campbell says a mixture of current customers and people from the public housing register will live in the homes.

“Our specialist team is currently speaking with people who will benefit from living in these new homes. Before placing a customer in a Kāinga Ora home, we talk to them about both their housing needs and connections to the community, and other groups, to help us make a suitable housing match,” she says.

The new homes were built by Blenheim construction company CMT Group Limited and took a year to complete. This latest development follows the completion of a 14 two-bedroom Kāinga Ora complex at Brewer Street in Blenheim in October last year.

There are 142 new public homes in the town in the pipeline until June 2025. This number is subject to consenting processes and construction timelines. 

See what's happening in the Marlborough region.

One of the new homes on Richmond and Charles Streets in Blenheim