Working with building developers boosts public housing in Gisborne

Demand for public housing in Tairāwhiti has never been higher, says Kāinga Ora Regional Director Naomi Whitewood.

“There is a very real and urgent need to get families and children out of motels and other forms of emergency housing, and into more secure homes where they can feel settled and able to move forward with their lives. Kāinga Ora is working at scale and pace to meet the demand for more warm, dry and healthy homes.”

“One way to do this is to partner with developers who build homes that meet Kāinga Ora specifications. The developer purchases the land and builds the homes, which Kāinga Ora then purchases once they are complete. This is what is happening with the development in Childers Road, Gisborne.”

RND Projects is building 11 two-bedroom homes. Once complete, Kāinga Ora will purchase them for transitional housing. Transitional housing provides people and families with a safe place to live and wraparound support services while they are helped to find appropriate long-term accommodation.

Recently Kāinga Ora confirmed an agreement, to partner with developers Iconiq Group, which is building 10 apartments on Palmerston Road in Gisborne. Kāinga Ora will take ownership of the development once the homes are finished.

Iconiq Group is building two apartment blocks on the section. They are made up of a three-storey building containing 6 two-bedroom apartments and a two-storey building containing 4 one-bedroom apartments.

“Iconiq runs a pre-employment programme from their Gisborne facility for rangatahi (young people) who want to get into a trade, so this development provides valuable training opportunities for local young people, adds Naomi Whitewood.

“The developments in Childers Road and Palmerston Road will result in 21 warm, dry homes for whānau most in need of public housing.

“Kāinga Ora and the developers are working collaboratively to ensure what is built meets the needs of the people and families who will live in the homes.

“The new, low-maintenance apartments will be fully insulated with carpets, curtains and double glazing.

“They are in addition to the 71 homes Kāinga Ora is building, or that are in the pipeline to build, in Gisborne in the next 12 months.

These homes are either under construction or in the contract or feasibility stages of development.

“Kāinga Ora is also working with iwi, hapu, community providers as well as private developers across our rohe to address housing shortages.”

Read more on the Public Housing Plan(external link)

For more information contact Tipene Heperi, Senior Stakeholder Relationship Manager - East North Island by email or call freephone 0800 801 601 and ask to be transferred.