New social houses 'signal commitment to warm, dry homes'

Housing New Zealand’s Chief Executive, Glen Sowry, today used the unveiling of 11 new social homes in the Auckland suburb of Glen Innes to underline his organisation’s commitment to providing warm, dry healthy homes for families in need both locally and throughout the country. The new homes, built on land that was previously occupied by just two old three-bedroom state homes, feature a mix of two, three and four bedroom homes, to meet contemporary demand. All homes have a six star level New Zealand Green Building Council Homestar rating, which reflects a range of sustainable design considerations. Inherent within the rating is the specification of low energy-consumption appliances, making it easier and cheaper for tenants to maintain a healthy home. "We now have 11 families of varying size housed in homes that meet their needs, where previously we had just two," says Mr Sowry. "Two of the four-bedroom homes have been designed in accordance with Universal Design principles, meaning we can also accommodate families who require specifically modified living arrangements." The new development forms part of the wider regeneration work underway in Tamaki. Just over the road, 21 new social homes are also under construction on six old sections; and across Tamaki, Housing New Zealand has almost 100 social homes currently in delivery. "These new homes also illustrate our long-standing commitment to the local community. In line with the Tamaki Commitment of enabling tenants to stay in the area through the regeneration process should they wish to do so, all bar one of the 11 new tenants here have moved from old state homes within Tamaki." While Housing New Zealand is building new homes, with over 2000 scheduled for delivery by the end of 2018, Mr Sowry pointed out that the average age of a Housing New Zealand home remains over 40, therefore he is equally focused on ensuring tenants living in older homes are also provided with a warm, dry, healthy living environment. "This winter we have been prioritising maintenance work that we know will make a tangible improvement to the living environment of our most vulnerable tenants. This has seen us complete over 6,000 work orders across some 4,300 properties nationwide, focusing on jobs that will make it easier for our tenants to keep their home warm, dry and healthy." This targeted programme supports an annual $300 million maintenance schedule across the Housing New Zealand portfolio of 68,000 homes. Work includes upgrading insulation, installing additional heating, putting in extractor fans and trimming back vegetation that’s blocking the sun. A key element of the programme is also to provide advice and information to tenants to help them understand how to keep their homes warm and dry. "We house some of New Zealand’s most vulnerable people, and I firmly believe that no Housing New Zealand tenant should live in a home that jeopardises their health," says Mr Sowry. This is the message I reiterated to my staff this year, and I am extremely pleased to see the progress we are making, and the passion and commitment with which the work is being done."