Key Takeaways
- Kāinga Ora is selling two four-unit blocks of flats in central New Plymouth due to their age and unsuitability for social housing.
- The properties will be sold on the open market, with proceeds reinvested in delivering new, warm, and dry homes elsewhere.
- A local developer, Peter Tennent, has made an offer on the land, including a significant amount for community good, and plans to develop apartments if successful.
- Current tenants are being relocated, with some expressing concerns about the process and the impact on their lives.
- The sale of the flats is in line with Kāinga Ora policy, considering factors such as the age and location of the units, redevelopment potential, and property value.
Introduction to the Issue
The Minister of Housing, Chris Bishop, and other concerned parties have been receiving numerous emails from a local resident regarding the behavior of some tenants in the Kāinga Ora flats in central New Plymouth. The resident, who has become a self-described "vexatious emailer," is keen to see the issue resolved and has even made a bid for the properties himself. The flats, which are of 1940s vintage, have been a source of concern due to the behavior of some tenants, and it is no surprise that properties in the surrounding area have been selling well below their rating value (RV).
The Sale of the Flats
Kāinga Ora has confirmed that it is putting the two four-unit blocks of flats on the market, citing their age and unsuitability for social housing. The decision to sell reflects the redevelopment potential of the land, as well as the property value. One block is already empty and secured, and Kāinga Ora is helping tenants in the other block move to other social housing homes. Once all tenants are rehoused, the properties will be sold on the open market. The proceeds from the sale will be reinvested in delivering new, warm, and dry homes elsewhere, in line with Kāinga Ora’s policy.
Concerns from Current Tenants
A current tenant of the remaining Kāinga Ora flats, who preferred not to give his name, has expressed concerns about the relocation process. The man, who lives with a terminal illness, has been told he has to move out and has been offered alternative accommodation, but has experienced delays and changes to the relocation plan. He believes that the sale of the flats is motivated by a desire to demolished them to make way for new, more expensive developments, and that this is "ridiculous." Kāinga Ora has confirmed that it ended one tenancy in the units due to repeated breaches of obligations, but has not commented on the specifics of this case.
The Future of the Site
Peter Tennent, a local developer, has made an offer on the land, which includes a significant amount for community good. If successful, he plans to develop apartments and sell them off. Tennent has stated that he just wants to see the issue resolved, whether it is through his own development or someone else’s. Kāinga Ora has also confirmed that it has recently delivered 14 new one-bedroom homes nearby and has another 16 one-bedroom homes currently under construction, among other developments in the pipeline for New Plymouth. The sale of the flats and the redevelopment of the site are expected to have a positive impact on the local community, but some current tenants are concerned about the impact on their lives and the lack of suitable alternative accommodation.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The sale of the Kāinga Ora flats in central New Plymouth is a complex issue, with concerns from current tenants and a desire from local residents to see the issue resolved. Kāinga Ora has confirmed that the sale is in line with its policy, considering factors such as the age and location of the units, redevelopment potential, and property value. The proceeds from the sale will be reinvested in delivering new, warm, and dry homes elsewhere, which is expected to have a positive impact on the local community. However, the relocation process for current tenants is ongoing, and some have expressed concerns about the impact on their lives. As the sale of the flats moves forward, it is essential to ensure that the needs of current tenants are met and that the redevelopment of the site benefits the local community.
