住房样式

Accessibility in our homes

Kāinga Ora is committed to meeting the needs of disabled people so they can live well in their homes and communities.

Our standardised house designs improve usability and comfort for everyone and include universal design features in all new build homes where it is practical and cost‑effective to do so. Features include:

• lever‑style door handles,
• safer stair design,
• slightly wider corridors and doorways,
• light switches and power points positioned for easier reach.

These features are embedded into all our standard typology plans and have been part of our build standards for over 10 years.

For disabled people, older people, people with mobility needs and families with young children these features help them to live well in their homes. The homes might also have the main bedroom and a full bathroom located on the same level as the living areas helping with daily activities.

We can also approve minor home modifications that are non‑structural, without the need for an Occupational Therapist assessment. Examples include:

• grab rails
• shower mixers
• slide rails.

For more complex or higher‑cost modifications, we work closely with funding agencies such as the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC). These bespoke changes are tailored to individual needs and can include:

• ramps
• wet‑area bathrooms
• lifts
• widened doorways
• modified fittings
• visual or vibrating smoke alarms.

If you are a Kāinga Ora tenant and you have a disability or mobility need that requires modifications to your home, get in touch to talk about how we can help.