A troubled central Wellington housing development is being given a fresh start, with the Government approving a reset of the Arlington project that will deliver 104 new social homes in Mount Cook.
Housing Minister Chris Bishop says the revised Kāinga Ora development will replace a much larger 301-apartment proposal that was paused in 2023 after projected costs climbed from $296 million to $419 million.
The new proposal includes 55 one-bedroom apartments, 37 two-bedroom apartments and 12 four-bedroom terrace homes, providing a mix of smaller properties and homes suitable for whānau.
A community room is also planned as part of the development.
The reset is subject to Wellington City Council agreeing to a variation of its existing lease arrangement with Kāinga Ora, as well as approval of a detailed investment case and the necessary building and resource consents.
A council decision on the lease variation is expected in late September.
The Government says the previous proposal had become financially unsustainable, with its estimated $419 million price tag working out at about $1.4 million for each apartment.
Kāinga Ora says the redesigned development is expected to cost significantly less, although an estimated price is not being released ahead of a competitive tender process.
Funding will come through the Kāinga Ora renewals programme, which reinvests proceeds from the sale of older state housing into new and improved homes.
Foundations already constructed during the earlier enabling works are expected to be reused, reducing waste and helping move the revised project forward.
Subject to the remaining approvals, construction is expected to begin in late 2027 and be completed in late 2029.
The reset will also return part of the wider Arlington site to Wellington City Council, opening the possibility of additional housing being developed by private developers and community housing providers.
Wellington Mayor Andrew Little says that could allow the site to ultimately provide more homes for Wellingtonians beyond the 104 Kāinga Ora properties.
Alongside the housing development, the Government has approved up to $6 million for Wellington City Council to distribute through its community grants programme.
That money will support housing services aimed at helping vulnerable people find, maintain and thrive in stable accommodation.
The Arlington reset comes as housing affordability, homelessness and the availability of social housing remain major pressures for communities across Aotearoa.
For whānau waiting for secure accommodation, the important number will ultimately be the 104 homes that make it through construction and become available to tenants.
After years of delays and rising costs, Arlington is back on the drawing board.
The challenge now is turning those drawings into warm, secure homes.
#WaateaNews #RadioWaatea #MāoriNews #Arlington #ArlingtonHousing #KāingaOra #KaingaOra #ChrisBishop #AndrewLittle #SocialHousing #StateHousing #HousingNZ #HousingCrisis #AffordableHousing #Wellington #MountCook #Whānau #Whanau #MāoriHousing #MaoriHousing #CommunityHousing #PublicHousing #HousingSecurity #Homelessness #NewHomes #NZHousing #Aotearoa #NewZealand #NZNews
