November 2013 - Riverside Gardens, Lower Hutt

Director Alison Cadman and Vice Chair Stephen Cross attended the blessing of the land and sod turning ceremony at Riverside Gardens, Lower Hutt on 14 November.

Dwell is proposing to acquire 14 homes in the Riverside Gardens redevelopment project. A proposal for funding that covers the purchase of the first 10 homes will be submitted to the Social Housing Unit soon.

Four of these homes will be held by Dwell and managed as affordable rental housing. Six will be sold to low or moderate income households under our shared home ownership programme.

Our proposal and the project perfectly fits with the current Government's wider strategy for the reform of social housing. The homes are part of the 145 + new dwellings to be constructed and refurbished in a master planned community on land owned by HNZC. A range of housing options are provided within the community to cater for every stage of life. The housing continuum including state, social, affordable and market rate rental and home ownership opportunities are planned but this is dependent on the inclusion of Dwell in the project.

Housing New Zealand CEO Gary Sowry and Minister of Housing Nick Smith both mentioned in their speeches that the Trust would be part of the scheme. See official press release.

The minister also mentioned the Trust in his response to a question about affordable housing in the house.