New homes mark new post-quake milestone
Soon-to-be tenant Sam, Housing Minister Megan Woods, ŌCHT deputy chair Pam Sharpe and Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger open the new Willard Street community.
There'll be a time in the not-so-distant future when Sam's twins return to a warm home after playing at Simeon Park.
“It's such a nice area, we've already had a look around, and I think we'll love it here,” Sam said.
“The park is really great and the unit, it's amazing, so lovely and warm. We just feel so lucky right now, so lucky.”
Sam and partner Michael were at the opening of Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust's newest community at Willard Street this morning.
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They joked they were famous after having an unexpected photo with Housing Minister Megan Woods. And they smiled as they described how much they were looking forward to moving into their new home.
“I can't wait, we can't wait, it's just so cozy and nice,” Sam said as the opening day crowd filed through some of the new homes.
“It looks like a really good area, the shopping area is pretty close, I think it's going to really good here.”
Sam helped Dr Woods, Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger and ŌCHT deputy chair Pam Sharpe cut the ribbon to officially open Willard Street.
Dr Woods told the crowd the homes demonstrated what was possible when the government and community worked together. They were also part of a six year push that's grown community housing sector housing from 4920 to 12,439 homes across the country.
ŌCHT chief executive Cate Kearney explained the Trust’s newest community also delivered on the city's wish to replace the capacity lost when 400 council-owned, largely one-bedroom units were damaged in the 2010/11 earthquakes.
With Willard Street, ŌCHT has delivered 410 new bedrooms in 270 new homes at 13 new communities since 2019.
Mr Mauger - a former ŌCHT trustee - noted the new homes are a far cry from the units they replaced.
They are a “great example of the renewal we need to see more in our social housing stock”.
“ŌCHT is delivering on our desire for improvements to the quality and number of units our city provides, and Willard Street is another example of what is possible with city support,” he said.
The north-facing properties have energy efficient heat pumps and high-performing thermal envelopes which means it will be easier and cheaper for tenants to keep their homes comfortable year-round.
They're ŌCHT’s first build using structural insulated panels, an insulated core sandwiched between engineered wood panels, made offsite and craned into place from the back of a truck.
The panels, by Formance, saved construction time - and they're incredibly thermally efficient to keep tenants warm for decades to come.
Ms Kearney noted many who contributed to the project, including project manager Rangzen, South-by-South-East Architects and Consortium Construction, have worked with ŌCHT before “and it’s a thrill to see our trusted relationships grow with every project”.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, and Minister of Housing Megan Woods and the Ministry of Social Development have been key partners in this and our other building projects since 2019.
Willard Street is the first of ŌCHT’s developments funded by a private sector loan. Generate KiwiSaver partnered with Community Finance to invest in our project as part of their focus on investments that have a positive social impact.
The new homes were delivered on time and on budget “so we can help more people into homes that we can all be proud of.
“And now the focus shifts to the tenancy and property teams who are already working to welcome new tenants and to carefully maintain their homes,” Ms Kearney said.
“All this work is part of our collective social investment in our city community. Together, we’re growing a legacy that started at Willard Street and Barnett Avenue more than 80 years ago."
Landscaped grounds feature shared common spaces where children can play and easy access to the Simeon Park complements tenant’s private courtyards and sunny balconies.
The homes are just a short walk from Addington School, bus routes and the Selwyn Street shops, making it the ideal place for a mix of household types and sizes.
Nearly half the new homes have two or more bedrooms, recognising the pressing and ongoing need for affordable multi-bedroom public rentals in Christchurch.
ŌCHT’s new tenants come from the Ministry of Social Development’s Public Housing Register. In June, 759 of 1947 registered for housing in Christchurch needed two or more bedrooms.
The Christchurch City Council owned and operated 26 weatherboard bedsits at Willard Street from 1939. The property was transferred to ŌCHT as part of the Christchurch Housing Accord.
