Social housing provider Kāinga Ora [KO] is progressing with the construction of three separate social housing sites in Masterton that are expected to be completed and occupied in the next couple of months.
KO Wellington regional director Vicki McLaren said a total of 21 homes will be built at the three sites, which are located at 74 Oxford St, 86 Kuripuni St, and 244 High St.
“These warmer direr homes delivered for the region are as part of our acquisitions programme,” McLaren said.
“To help achieve this, we have partnered with local developers Westwood Property Group [WPG] and TW Property Limited [TWPL].”
The acquisition programme involves KO handing over management and all aspects of the construction process to local developers who then build the sites to KO’s specifications.
The biggest development, the WPG build on High St, is in the final stages of construction and will provide eight two-bedroom accessible homes.
“These homes are 95 per cent complete, and the developers are just making the final instalments, such as fitting new curtains,” she said.
The two TWPL builds will result in six two-bedroom units plus one three-bedroom unit for Oxford St, and six two-bedroom units for Kuripuni St.
“Construction is well underway on both sites, with work currently focusing on completing plumbing, electrical, and internal fitouts, as well as exterior landscaping for each home,” she said.
“Internal and external painting of each home has recently been completed at Oxford St and is underway at Kuripuni St.
“All three developments are running on time and within budget, and are due to be completed for new customers to move in around mid-2024.”
When completed, McLaren said this will bring the total number of occupied KO homes in Masterton to 60.
In late 2022, KO announced its return to the region after a 25-year absence.
Now there are 12 projects across Wairarapa, that are either completed and occupied, under construction, in the planning phase, or waiting on consent.
Four developments in Masterton – on Market, Michael, and George streets, and Irons St North, were recently completed, providing 39 homes all up.
In addition to the three projects underway in Masterton, three more are under construction on High St in Carterton, with an expected completion date of mid-2024, East St in Greytown, with an anticipated completion date of the end of 2024, and on Fitzherbert St in Featherston, which is scheduled to be completed in late 2024.
Projects on Woodward St in Featherston and Makoura Rd in Masterton are in the early planning stages, while a final site on Worksop Rd in Masterton is in the consenting stage.
According to the most recent Ministry of Social Development figures, which were recorded in December of 2023, there were 191 people on the housing register in Wairarapa.
Trust House, which also provides social housing in the region, has recently completed a six-unit build on Kuripuni St that is waiting on a rent subsidy scheme approval before it can be occupied, as well as a project on Ōpaki Rd that is under construction and will consist of six units.
