New social housing units open in Aranui

The opening of eight new Council social housing units in Aranui will help to set a new standard in providing quality, purpose-built accommodation for some of the city's most vulnerable residents, says Christchurch Deputy Mayor Vicki Buck.

The Deputy Mayor was joined by new tenants Valerie Hayes and Codie Smith today in officially opening the eight new one-bedroom units at the Council's Knightsbridge Lane social housing complex.

"Christchurch City Council has a proud history of providing social housing in our city that goes back to 1938," says Deputy Mayor Buck.

"As we rebuild and replace units damaged in the earthquakes, it's an opportunity for us to set a new standard for the community by building modern social housing that's both fit-for-purpose and cost-effective.

"The new units at Knightsbridge Lane have been specifically designed to cater for the accessibility needs of elderly people and people with disabilities.

"They are also warm, energy-efficient and long-lasting – quality housing that tenants will want to call home for many years to come," she says.

The new units were built by Christchurch construction company Stonewood Homes Limited and have achieved "5 star" accreditation from Lifemark.

The accreditation shows the units meet specific design and accessibility standards to meet tenants' changing needs.

Each unit has been insulated beyond Building Code requirements and has wider pathways and doorways, higher wall sockets, an easily accessible wet-area shower and a mobility scooter parking and charging area.

After reaching a final settlement with the Earthquake Commission for its social housing late last year, the Council is now moving ahead quickly with replacing its earthquake-damaged and red-zoned housing units.

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.

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