Kāinga Ora to build 29 new homes on Waimea Rd

Kāinga Ora is set to build 29 new public homes for people in need on Waimea Rd, where the Wakatu Lodge once was, with construction to start in the next month.

Kāinga Ora - Homes and Communities is working with developer JV Properties Limited to build a new three-storey development in Nelson that will provide 29 one-bedroom apartments for people in need.

The 128-year-old Wakatu Lodge was relocated to the Moutere earlier this month, paving the way for the development to progress.

Construction is expected to begin in the next month and will be completed in mid-2024.

Julia Campbell, Regional Director Nelson, Marlborough, and West Coast, says the new homes will help to address some of the urgent need for housing in Nelson, and the high demand for one-bedroom homes.

A total of 261 people are currently on the public housing register in the city, 61 per cent of whom are waiting for a one-bedroom home.

“We know that too many people in Nelson are struggling to find a suitable home where they can build their lives. One of the ways we’re looking to increase the amount of housing available across the country is by partnering with developers to build new warm and dry homes in well-connected areas of the city,” she says.

“By building up, as we’ll be doing with this development, more people can enjoy living in a prime location that is close to their jobs, services, and public transport routes.”

Nelson developer JV Properties Limited initially purchased the land to develop as housing and has been working through the resource consent process.

Kāinga Ora has partnered with the developer, and now that the resource consent has been approved, ownership of the land was transferred to Kāinga Ora this week.

Julia says a mix of current Kāinga Ora customers and people and couples in need of one-bedroom homes who are currently on the public housing register are likely to be matched to the homes.

“Our dedicated placement team will carefully match people to these homes. As part of this, we talk to people about their connections to the community to help us to find the right home for them.”

Kāinga Ora is planning a series of drop-in sessions for residents where they will be able to learn more about this development and will be sharing the details of these once they are confirmed.

“We’re committed to keeping neighbours and the wider community informed as our plans for these homes progress.”