New social housing builds under way

Christchurch City Council is ploughing ahead with replacing its earthquake-damaged and red-zoned social housing, with three new developments under way in as many weeks. The Council today marked a ground-breaking ceremony with tenants at its Berwick Courts housing complex in St Albans, where three new units are being built. A total of 25 new units are scheduled to open between October and December this year across three of the Council’s existing complexes in Richmond, St Albans and Addington. The Council also has plans to start work on a further 16 units before the end of the year. Councillor Andrew Turner, Chair of the Communities, Housing and Economic Development Committee, says while the Council is building more social housing units, it is also raising the bar in terms of design and quality in the process. "The Council is building the type of housing that will contribute to our community’s well-being for many years to come," he says. "Specifically, these homes will cater to people on low incomes, elderly persons and people with disabilities. "That means homes that are designed and purpose-built with them in mind - homes that are warm, healthy, energy-efficient, fit-for-purpose and built to last." All of the 25 Council units currently under way will have a 90-year lifespan and will achieve Lifemark accreditation, which shows they meet specific design and accessibility standards to meet tenants’ changing needs. Each unit will be insulated beyond building-code requirements and incorporate such features as higher wall sockets, wider pathways and doorways, and easily accessible wet-area showers.