Homestar 6 rated public homes ready for whānau in South Auckland

These homes, all built to Homestar Standard 6, will accommodate around 50 locals who are in urgent need of safe, dry housing.

Manurewa sits in Counties Manukau, a fast-growing region with a population of more than 500,000 – or 11% of the population of Aotearoa New Zealand. Currently there are 741 people in Manurewa on the Ministry of Social Development housing register, that is, people not in public housing but who have been assessed as needing to be housed.

Angela Pearce, Regional Director Counties Manukau says, "The opening of the public housing on Dr Pickering Avenue and Friedlander Road signifies new beginnings for 19 individuals or whānau who now have a place to call home.”

Mana whenua welcomed manuhiri, the Kāinga Ora project team and build partners to the new development

Mana whenua welcomed manuhiri, the Kāinga Ora project team and build partners to the new development on Tuesday, which comprises of six one-bedroom apartments, 12 two-bedroom apartments and one four-bedroom house.

“Excitingly, six of the apartments have been built to Kāinga Ora Full Universal Design (FUD) standard meaning they are safe and comfortable for people with various levels of mobility,” Ms Pearce says.

The homes have been built on a 2,422 sqm site where three single public homes stood previously. Those houses, built in the early-1960s, were no longer fit for purpose.

Jeffrey Yeh, Project Manager said, “Even with the impacts of COVID-19 and disruptive weather events, we have been able to deliver some wonderful homes alongside our build partners that we are proud of. We know that just one home can have a lifelong impact that spans generations.”

The new homes are within walking distance of schools, parks, and amenities, making them ideal for whānau. People will begin moving into these homes from September.

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