Housing Upgrade - Tenant Information
Council Housing, various locations
Wellington City Council is upgrading its social housing over the next 20 years. The work will make its homes safer, warmer and of a better standard for modern living.
The Government is contributing $220 million to the project and the Council will invest additional money from its rental income.
The project is more than just upgrading the buildings - it will also improve the social aspects of life in our social housing complexes.
For background information on the project:
Improvements
The housing upgrade will improve overall living standards, increase the safety and quality of existing community spaces, and create new community spaces.
The work includes:
- meeting modern building standards
- insulating homes to make them warmer
- improving ventilation to make homes drier
- providing earthquake-strengthening where needed
- upgrading kitchens and bathrooms
- improving landscaping
- changing the mix of units.
The Community Action Programme provides more information about the work the Council does to support the tenant communities in the social housing complexes.
Timeline
Sites prioritised for work from 2009 to 2018:
| Te Ara Hou, Newtown | July 2009 - June 2010 |
| Hanson Court, Newtown | March 2010 - September 2011 |
| Central Park Flats, Te Aro | July 2010 - February 2013 |
| Regent Park, Newtown | November 2010 - August 2011 |
| Kotuku Flats, Kilbirnie | July 2011 - September 2012 |
| Newtown Park Flats, Newtown | September 2011 - July 2013 |
| Marshall Court, Miramar | February 2014 - December 2014 |
| Berkeley Dallard Flats, Te Aro | February 2014 - November 2014 |
| Granville Flats, Berhampore | March 2014 - October 2016 |
| Whare Ahuru, Thorndon | June 2014 - November 2014 |
| Arlington Tower (Units 1 - 77), Mount Cook | February 2015 - December 2016 |
| Batchelor Street Flats, Newlands | July 2016 - October 2016 |
| Rintoul Street Villas, Newtown | After 2018 but may be done sooner |
For more detailed information on the improvements at each location:
These sites were chosen for the first two phases of work because they are primarily larger complexes that require earthquake strengthening. They also house around 65 percent of our tenants.
The remainder of our housing properties will be prioritised for upgrade work from 2018.
Changing Needs for Social Housing
Our research shows that social housing needs in Wellington are changing - we now need more accommodation for families, although we know there will always be demand from single people or couples without children.
Bedsits are no longer as practical as they used to be. Our bedsits were originally built for working people, rather than people who were mostly at home. Regular feedback indicates that the bedsits are too small for visitors.
As part of the upgrade, some of our existing bedsits will be merged into one-bedroom apartments with living areas to provide more room for single people and couples. To meet demand from families, some bedsits may also be joined together to make two- and three-bedroom apartments.
Family
Rehousing During Construction
For health and safety reasons, tenants will be rehoused during the upgrade. Our tenant liaison coordinators will work closely with you to make sure that disruption is kept to a minimum, and where possible you will be rehoused within the same complex or in a nearby housing site.
Tenant Involvement
The Council will involve tenants in the design phase of the upgrade of their flats and keep them informed throughout the project.
Tenants will be asked to participate in events, surveys, focus groups and presentations.
The Community Action Programme will also encourage tenants to become involved through community initiatives.
More Information
Perry Walker
Manager, Stakeholder Engagement
| Phone: | (04) 499 4444 |
| Email: | HUPinfo |
Related Links
- Affordable Housing
- News Release - 23.07.09
- News Release - 26.08.08
- News Release - 21.06.07
- News Release - 22.02.07
Department Details:
City Housing
