Gore Mayor Ben Bell and Kāinga Ora Otago and Southland regional manager Liz Krause unveil the 16 new social homes to the community. PHOTO: GEMMA SINCLAIR The completion of new social housing in Gore means the town could now achieve something virtually impossible elsewhere in the country, Gore District Mayor Ben Bell says. Sixteen new two-bedroom Kāinga Ora houses in Hamilton St, East Gore, were unveiled to the community yesterday. Their completion is expected to clear Gore’s social housing waiting list. About 100 people gathered for the official opening of the 14 two-bedroom single-storey, standalone homes and a pair of semi-detached two-bedroom homes. About 120 pupils from nearby East Gore Primary School performed a waiata to mark the occasion. Mr Bell said the homes plugged a gap. ‘‘These homes ... will fundamentally clear our social housing list in this area, which is ... almost an impossible achievement elsewhere in the country. ‘‘It’s great that we’ve managed to fill that social need within our community.’’ An average of eight people were on the social housing waiting list in the year ending in March. At times the waiting list extended to more than 30 people. Mr Bell thanked Housing Minister Chris Bishop for getting the homes over the line. ‘‘He’s had to put up with me quite a few times banging on his door, asking questions about the delays to this project, but it was his foresight to take us from the 24 homes that were originally proposed to 16.’’ Kāinga Ora Otago and Southland regional director Liz Krause said she was pleased the project was completed. ‘‘It’s exciting ... and it’s lovely to see the community come out and support it. ‘‘We can’t wait for people to move into these homes.’’ The crown agency bought the Hamilton St subdivision in 2022, and demolished the unviable Longford Tavern that was originally there. Eight of the homes were constructed by local partner Ajax Building. The remaining Kāinga Ora homes were built off site at Rolleston Prison, southwest of Christchurch, and delivered in partnership with the Department of Corrections. The homes have been matched to individuals and families on the Ministry of Social Development’s housing register. Tenants will begin moving in over the next week.
