Friday 20 September 2013

Council social housing milestone celebrated

A ground-breaking ceremony to mark the beginning of construction of 12 new social housing units was held today at Maurice Carter Courts City Housing complex in Spreydon.

Errol Hampton, one of the complex’s longest standing residents, joined Mayor Bob Parker in turning the first sod at the Dundee Place complex.

The one-bedroom units, which will be built by Christchurch construction company Fusion Homes Limited, are the first new Christchurch City Council social housing units to be built since the earthquakes. Construction will get underway next month on the units, which will cater specifically for older people and those with disabilities. It is expected the first residents will move into the new units in February.

The 12 new units are part of a larger programme to identify vacant land in existing Council-owned social housing complexes where new units can be built following the earthquakes.

Mr Hampton, who has lived at the complex since 1994, says he is looking forward to welcoming new residents to the complex. “I find it quite all right living here and all the folk have been very good to me. It will be good to have some new neighbours.”

The new units, which can be built more quickly because they are partly prefabricated, will be well insulated, warm and well ventilated. They will also be the first Council units to achieve a Lifemark ‘5 Star’ accreditation, which shows that they meet certain design standards that ensure older people and those with disabilities can continue to live there as their needs change.

Earlier this year, the Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Lifemark that demonstrates its commitment to building adaptable, accessible and healthy social housing units.

Mayor Parker says the Council has a proud history of providing social housing for some of the city’s most vulnerable residents. It remains committed to replacing social housing units damaged in the earthquakes.

“It’s absolutely vital that the Council continues to provide good quality, affordable housing for those in need. Rebuilding our social housing units provides a wonderful opportunity to make them even more comfortable for residents and the types of homes they will want to live in for many years to come.

“It was incredibly special to join with one of the complex’s longest standing residents to mark the beginning of a new chapter at Maurice Carter Courts. These first new units will also be a pilot for others the Council has planned – and we look forward to the rebuild gaining momentum.”

Fusion Homes Limited Director Chris Haughey says Fusion brings many proven methods together to build homes that are healthier, easier to heat, easier to live in, longer-lasting, quicker to build and have more usable floor space. “It’s a credit to the Council in awarding such a contract.”
Lifemark General Manager Andrew Olsen says, “It’s exciting to see work begin on this project. Being the first Council project to achieve Lifemark 5 Star accreditation, it sets an exciting precedent for future developments.”
The Council already has plans to build more social housing units in existing complexes across Christchurch. Construction on eight new units at Knightsbridge Lane in Aranui is expected to begin this year and a tender process is currently underway to build up to 25 new units at HP Smith Courts in Richmond, Berwick Courts in St Albans and Harman Courts in Addington.

ENDS

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