11 July 2013

Tender awarded for new social housing units in Spreydon

Christchurch City Council has awarded the contract for the design and build of 12 new one-bedroom units at Maurice Carter Courts in Spreydon, with construction due to begin this September.

The contract has been awarded to Christchurch-based building company Fusion Homes Limited. The new units will be built on vacant land in the social housing complex in Dundee Place and will cater specifically for older people. Construction will begin once the detailed design is completed and consents are granted. It is expected the first residents will move into the new units in February next year.

Mayor Bob Parker says the replacement of damaged social housing units remains a priority for the Council and this is a welcome milestone.

“The Council is committed to replacing its damaged social housing units in a variety of ways and these 12 new units are part of a much larger programme of work that has been underway for some time to identify and build on vacant land in existing Council social housing complexes.

“It’s important that the Council continues to provide good quality, affordable housing for many of our city’s most vulnerable residents. These first new units will be a pilot for more new social housing units the Council has planned – and we’re looking forward to turning the first sod.”

Unit Manager Community Support Carolyn Gallagher says because the new units are partly prefabricated they can be built more quickly.

They will be well insulated, warm and well ventilated. They will also be the first Council units to achieve a Lifemark ‘5 Star’ accreditation, which shows that they meet certain design standards that ensure older people and those with disabilities can continue to live there as their needs change. The Council recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Lifemark that proves its commitment to building adaptable, accessible and healthy social housing units.

“While it is important to the Council to replace its damaged social housing units as quickly as possible, we owe it to our tenants to build the types of units they will want to live in for many years to come,” Ms Gallagher says. “In fact, we expect these units to have a 90-year life cycle.”

Fusion Homes Director Chris Haughey says the company is proud to be partnering with the Council to build its first new social housing units since the earthquakes. “It’s a credit to the Council in awarding such a contract,” Mr Haughey says. “The Council has said ‘this is new, this could make a difference.’ They have thought about what it means for the future, not just accepted the way things have been done in the past.”

Lifemark General Manager Andrew Olsen says, “The Council is leading the way when it comes to the provision of homes that are truly designed for a lifetime. Social housing with a ‘5 star’ Lifemark award will ensure that people of all ages, stages of life and abilities can always find a comfortable place to call home.”

The Council already has plans to build more new social housing units across Christchurch. A tender to build seven new units on vacant land in Knightsbridge Lane, Aranui, has closed and Council staff are currently evaluating the tenders. The Council has also called for tenders for the design and build of up to 25 new social housing units at HP Smith Courts in Richmond, Berwick Courts in St Albans and Harman Courts in Addington.

This work is being carried out under the Council’s Facilities Rebuild Plan Programme. For more information visit www.futurechristchurch.co.nz

ENDS

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