WARWICK SMITH/Things
Levin is ready to get more much-needed social housing after Kāinga Ora buys a plot of land in the city. (File photo)
Kāinga Ora hopes the purchase of a block of Levin land will help ease pressure on Horowhenua’s social housing waiting list, which has risen 558% in six years.
The government housing company has bought the large lot at 123 Kawiu Rd to build more houses, in addition to the 157 houses it already has in the city and 184 in Horowhenua.
According to property records, the plot is 31,699 square meters in size.
Levin and the surrounding area is with significant population growthwith the population of Horowhenua growing by more than 5000 between 2013 and 2021.
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According to current estimates, another 26,008 Horowhenua are expected to call home in 2040 – a 71% increase.
Horowhenua has also faced a huge demand for social housing, with Kāinga Ora’s waiting list for Horowhenua going from 36 families in June 2017 to 237 families in June 2022.
Some steps have been taken in recent times to alleviate the problem, such as: Hinemoa St Social Housing Project.
Kāinga Ora’s regional director, Graeme Broderick, said the demand for social housing “has been steadily increasing” over the years.
“We are so pleased that with this land purchase we will be able to provide a home for so many families.”
Planning was at an early stage, but the site could be used for medium-density social housing and a range of housing of varying sizes.
Plans would be shared once they were more detailed, Broderick said.
“We can say that this purchase will allow us to supply homes to a significant number of whānau who need a place to call home.”
“We will work closely with the Horowhenua District Council, Muaūpoko and other key stakeholders to move forward with our plans and how best to support the community in which we build.”
The director of the Muaūpoko Tribal Authority, Di Rump, said the iwi was painfully aware of the need for more housing in the city, so they were eager to help develop plans for more housing.
“We’d also like to see how we can work with those families who will eventually live in these homes to feel fully and fully supported.”