Social housing  |  3 Jul 2020

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A new community housing complex featuring energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly homes has been officially opened in St Martins by Housing Minister Megan Woods and Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel.

The complex, in Tiwaiwaka Lane (previously Cresselly Place), has been developed by the Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust (OCHT) and consists of 28 one and two-bedroom homes.

The homes meet New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC) Homestar 6 standards, which means they were designed and built to be warm and efficient, with a reduced environmental impact.

The site was previously Christchurch City Council owned and used for social housing but the buildings were severely damaged during the earthquakes and had to be demolished.  The Council subsequently transferred the site to OCHT-ownership and has supported the new housing development through a loan on commercial terms. 

“The opening of the complex at Tiwaiwaka Lane is another step in our commitment to building great homes and creating connected communities with housing that exceeds standards,’’ says OCHT Chief Executive Cate Kearney.

“These homes are warm, dry and efficient, car parking is provided for each home, and there is a central courtyard at the centre of the complex to promote a sense of community.’’

Ms Kearney says OCHT is leading the way nationally in the development of community housing that meets the NZGBC Homestar ratings.

The trust has completed two smaller complexes that are accredited Homestar 6 and is working on a 90 home development on Brougham Street that will be Homestar 7.

“OCHT has made a commitment to ensuring our new homes are the best they can be. We want to provide our tenants with a home that provides maximum health and environmental benefits,’’ Ms Kearney says.

Mayor Dalziel says she is extremely proud of the way the Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust has been able to develop high quality, energy-efficient housing in a way that is sustainable for the tenants and the community as a whole.

Tiwaiwaka is one of the Māori names for fantail and the bird is reflected in the central courtyard design.