Vacant properties to be replaced

A Housing New Zealand property in Helensburgh Rd. Photo: Peter McIntosh
A Housing New Zealand property in Helensburgh Rd. Photo: Peter McIntosh
Housing New Zealand is rebuilding its ageing Dunedin housing stock.

Mosgiel woman Debbie Kennedy has been ''frustrated'' two government social houses near hers had been unoccupied since last August and September.

''It just blows me away, when we've got a housing crisis and people looking to find houses, that they are just sitting empty.''

Once she told Housing NZ the houses were empty, the agency gave them ''a bit of a clean-up'', but no-one had moved in.

''It's more the fact that people are looking for somewhere to live,'' she said.

A Housing NZ spokesman said the two properties and a six-unit property in Helensburgh Rd were scheduled to be demolished and redeveloped.

The details were still in the feasibility and planning stages.

''We are aiming to make more effective and productive use of the land involved in terms of providing warm, dry accommodation for those most in need.''

This work would occur alongside redevelopment of its 25-resident apartments in Maitland St.

The Helensburgh Rd flats were ''aged bedsits, of a substandard quality'' and would have required substantial remediation to meet Housing NZ standards, he said.

''This would not be a cost-effective option.''

The final cost had not been finalised.

The flats had been owned by the Dunedin City Council, which considered refurbishing them but instead sold them to Housing New Zealand last August for $392,500.

The agency is building 19 more homes in Mosgiel and Wakari in the next financial year and has nine more earmarked for the following year.

''All of these are one- and two-bedroom units, for which there is the greatest need. Currently, 36 additional houses are being considered or are in planning stages.''

There were 33 unoccupied social housing units in Dunedin, up on 21 in April.

However, the difference was due to the Maitland St renovations.

''At any time, HNZ properties can be vacant for varying durations and a variety of reasons, including being part of a complex remediation programme, reinstatement after an event such as a fire, other major repairs, upgrades, checking and cleaning between tenancies or under redevelopment.''

jono.edwards@odt.co.nz

Comments

Unintended consequences of the government's "safe & dry" housing policy. Some houses can NOT be properly insulated- easier to sell than to bring up to standard. Now BIG government with your taxes can demolish them and possibly replace them (or not).

 

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