Housing New Zealand Starts Christchurch Redevelopment Project
 
Housing New Zealand is to start a series of small redevelopments in Christchurch that are expected to result in 200-350 new homes being built in the next 18 months
 
Sean Bignell, General Manager Assets Redevelopment, says the extra houses will assist in replenishing Housing New Zealand’s depleted stock, help meet future housing demand and make better use of existing Housing New Zealand properties
 
“The work is a precursor to larger scale redevelopment plans which rely on settlement of Housing New Zealand’s insurance claims and a range of technical issues and challenges,” he says.
 
Ninety four Housing New Zealand sites have so far been identified for minor redevelopment.  Options include subdividing land under allowable zoning; moving or demolishing some houses to allow for better land use; and replacing badly earthquake-damaged houses with new homes. “The work programme will involve small scale redevelopment projects of generally 1-10 new dwellings per site in a variety of suburbs across the city,” Mr Bignell says.
 
“It will bolster available housing in Canterbury and help to ensure that in the future Housing New Zealand has the right type of properties in the right condition and in the right place.”
 
At present Housing New Zealand has 6,127 houses in Christchurch, 95 per cent of which have been damaged by the earthquakes. This damage ranges from minor repairs to houses that are structurally unsound.
 
Housing New Zealand will be seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from suitably experienced and skilled property development groups from tomorrow. The EOI will be advertised in The Press and on the GETS, TENDERLINK & Housing New Zealand websites.
 
Selected groups will make up a Preferred Development Partner Panel with members invited to submit proposals for specific development opportunities through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process. These RFPs are likely to cover the financing, design, consenting, construction, titling and potential sale of housing on selected sites.
 
The closing date for Expressions of Interest will be Tuesday 5 June, 4pm.
Mr Bignell says Housing New Zealand will work closely with its tenants and the wider community throughout the redevelopment programme and will make this a condition for any partner that is appointed to work on the projects.

ENDS

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