Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora
We have taken over ownership of the homes on the corner of Gladstone Road and Waverley Street in Richmond, near Nelson, after entering an agreement last year to purchase the homes upon completion.
The new development includes 12 two-bedroom homes and one three-bedroom home. Local iwi this morning blessed the homes before neighbours were invited on a walk-through of the development.
Inside one of the 13 new Richmond homes
Julia Campbell, Regional Director Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast, says the new homes are a welcome addition for families in need of a home.
She says a mixture of current Kāinga Ora customers and people from the Ministry of Social Development public housing register will live in the homes, with the first residents due to begin moving in early next month. As of June 2023, there were 141 applicants in the Tasman district on the public housing register.
“There’s a growing demand for more housing in Richmond so one of the ways we’re looking to increase the number of homes available for people in need is by purchasing them new from developers,” Ms Campbell says.
“We’re really looking forward to welcoming people and families into these homes in the coming weeks as we know that having a warm, dry place to call home can make such a huge difference to people’s lives. We’re also pleased to be able to provide modern homes for people in an ideal location that’s very close to town, shops, schools and other services.”
Ms Campbell says a specialist Kāinga Ora placements team is currently having conversations with the people who will move into these homes.
“Before placing a customer in a Kāinga Ora home, we talk to them about both their housing needs and connections to the community and other groups to help us make a suitable housing match,” she says.
A total of 37 public homes are in the pipeline for the Tasman district until June 2025.
See what’s happening in the Tasman region.