In 2023, six Kāinga Ora social housing apartments at 2-12 Albertson Ave, Port Chalmers, were demolished to make way for 11 new social housing units.
But then, following the demolition, the rebuild was cancelled.
West Harbour Community Board member Duncan Eddy, who organised the survey, said state housing sat on that land for about 80 years.
‘‘This is a social justice issue.
‘‘Kāinga Ora has previously acknowledged the area is well placed for social housing, being very close to schools, ECE’s, shops, open spaces, doctors, public transport - but after nearly $1 million spent on the project, there’s now just an empty plot of land where six homes used to be.’’
Mr Eddy sent a survey to all 14 Dunedin City Council by-election candidates asking ‘‘If elected to Dunedin City Council, would you actively support the completion of the social housing rebuild at 2-12 Albertson Ave, Port Chalmers?’’
Eleven candidates said yes, one said no, and two did not respond.
Most of the candidates supported the revival of this development as part of Kainga Ora’s social license.
Carmen Houlahan said the government had let the people of Port Chalmers down.
‘‘Commitments were made but not kept. Other state houses were also promised in other parts of the city and didn’t happen.
‘‘This is very disappointing as this low-cost housing is needed. The cost should not fall back on local government to pick up commitments the government didn’t do. I’d like to see council writing to the government asking it to honour its initial commitment.’’
The Port Chalmers plot is not the only planned development in Dunedin that Kainga Ora cancelled - at least nine other projects were put on hold indefinitely last year.
Candidate Aaron Hawkins said he completely supported Kāinga Ora getting on with the job of building public housing in Dunedin, starting with the projects they’ve recently abandoned.
Bill Acklin was more circumspect, saying he would like the council to be a lobbyist in this matter, rather than taking on the burden of assets.
Lianna MacFarlane said she was in favour of the project being revived - but was unsure whether it would be picked up by the government or community and private interests.
Pamela Taylor was the only one in favour of doing nothing.
Jo Galer and Lync Aaronsen did not respond.
Mr Eddy said the consensus among the candidates reflected that among Dunedin residents.
‘‘This much needed social housing rebuild should go ahead.’’
When the Otago Daily Times approached Kainga Ora yesterday, they sent an old statement.
‘‘As an agency, we have reviewed the vacant land we own to determine what makes sense to hold on to for the commercially responsible development of social housing and what is best released for others to develop.
‘‘Following this assessment process, we decided not to proceed with the proposed redevelopment of nine homes on the Albertson Avenue site. There is limited demand from applicants on the Ministry of Social Development’s social housing register for new homes in Port Chalmers, and the site is no longer needed for social housing.
‘‘That statement still stands.’’
