17 June, 2016
New Community Group Housing developments for Christchurch
Housing New Zealand has announced plans to build five new purpose-built Community Group Housing properties at four
different sites across the city.
Housing New Zealand already operates more than 160 such properties across greater Christchurch.
Community Group Housing are rental homes for government-funded organisations who have a contract to provide residential
services for:
People who experience mental illness
People who have physical and intellectual disabilities, including children and elderly
Emergency Accommodation
Residential alcohol and drug services
Women who require refuge
Youth at risk
Supporting prisoner reintegration
These are homes for a broad variety of people with different life needs of all ages and lifestyles.
The five new homes, which will replace Community Group Housing properties severely damaged in the Canterbury
earthquakes, will be built by respected Christchurch builder Mike Greer Limited which has experience in building these
specialist homes.
Housing New Zealand Senior Development Manager Isaac Walker says the investment into new Community Group Housing would
help meet growing demand for properties in that sector.
“There is a pressing need to replace damaged Community Group Housing. They are needed by groups helping high need
customers and we’re pleased we can show our ongoing commitment to this work by confirming we will be building five new
purpose-built properties.’’
Each house will have six bedrooms, two bathrooms and internal access garages that can be used to store disability
equipment such as hoists and shower trollies.
Various community groups have already agreed to lease these properties for their customers.
Construction is expected to start in July and the new houses should be completed by December.
The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Programme formally winds up on June 30 after completing its work to repair more than
5000 earthquake damaged properties and the construction of up to 700 new warm dry homes.
Mr Walker says this programme has been a great result for the organisation but, more importantly, thousands of tenants
across greater Christchurch.
Ends