The clock is ticking down to the completion of the first state-owned social houses in the region since the existing stock was sold to Trust House in 1999.
Vicki McLaren, Regional Director Greater Wellington, Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities, said those in Masterton who are in need of housing will be welcomed from the start of August.
“The completion of 18 new homes on Iorns Street North, Masterton, will mark the return and first delivery of new Kāinga Ora state housing in Wairarapa in two decades,” she said.
All the new homes on Iorns St have received council codes of compliance certificates, and Kāinga Ora has made contact with 17 people from the Ministry of Social Development’s housing registrar, McLaren said.
“Our conversations with whānau who will live in these new homes are well underway.”
People are placed in state housing according to need and priority on the housing registrar, taking into account factors like connection to the area, family, schools, services, and employment.
Completion of these homes has been a little over a month later than expected due to poor weather and severe rain from Cyclone Gabrielle, as well as supply and resourcing issues.
McLaren said houses at Masterton’s second site for state housing on George St are due for completion next year, but some units might be completed by the end of this year.
Traction is also starting to be gained in another Wairarapa development in Greytown.
The buildings currently on 183 to 189 East St will be removed and replaced with four new homes. Three will have three bedrooms, while the fourth will have five bedrooms. Due to the number of trees on the site, Kāinga Ora is working with an arborist to try and maintain the mature trees where possible.
A guideline for development suggests construction will start at the end of this year, with the aim to be completed in late 2024 or early 2025.
The Woodville development remains in the planning stage.
