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Housing Upgrade

Kotuku Flats, Kilbirnie

Wellington City Council is undertaking a multimillion dollar upgrade of its social housing portfolio over the next 20 years. This is one of the largest and most complex redevelopment projects of its type in New Zealand.

The Government is contributing $220 million towards this project. The Council will invest additional money generated through rentals, and has made a formal commitment to social housing for the next 30 years.

Upgrade

The work being undertaken includes:

meeting 21st century building standards
insulating homes to make them warmer
improving ventilation
providing earthquake-strengthening where needed
upgrading kitchens and bathrooms
increasing the size of some units.

The project includes a Community Action Programme which emphasises better community relations. This may include improved community facilities such communal gardens, social activities, exercise classes and upgraded play areas for children.

Timeline

Sites prioritised for work from 2008 - 2013:

Hanson Court, Newtown
Kotuku Flats, Kilbirnie
Marshall Court, Miramar
Berkeley Dallard, Te Aro

Te Ara Hou, Newtown
Newtown Park
Regent Park, Newtown
Central Park, Te Aro

Sites prioritised for work from 2013 – 2018:

Arlington Tower (units 1 - 77), Mount Cook
Whare Ahuru, Thorndon
Batchelor Street, Newlands
Granville Flats, Berhampore.

Housing sites not named will be prioritised for upgrade work from 2018.

Background

Wellington City Council is one of New Zealand's largest social housing providers with 2,354 units, housing more than 4,000 tenants.

The units provide important social and economic benefits to a diverse range of people in Wellington city. Many tenants are on low incomes, are new migrants, and have physical, social or health disabilities.

The current tenant mix is consistently low income, but diverse:

42% Pākeha / European
13% Māori
12% Pacific Island
33% refugees and migrants
80% receive Government income support
47% are aged 50-years or more (34% 55-plus).

2007 Housing Memorandum

Family fun at Arlington Apartments, Newtown

In July 2007, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Government, Housing New Zealand Corporation (HNZC) and the Council stating the Government will provide $220 million for the upgrade over 10 - 15 years.

As part of this, the Council has agreed:

to upgrade the housing portfolio to be safe, secure and of a good standard for modern living
to retain the social housing portfolio over a period of 30 years.

The Council will contribute additional money, generated by rental income to meet that commitment. Coupled with the Crown funding, this will extend the project to 20 years.

More Information

Suzanne Chittenden
Tenant Liaison Coordinator