ŌCHT passes 400-home mark as housing programme reaches 20 communities

Elm Grove became ŌCHT’s 20th community when the ribbon was cut on Tuesday.

Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust (ŌCHT) opened two new communities on the same day to mark a series of significant milestones in Christchurch's housing recovery and redevelopment story.

Griffiths Avenue and Elm Grove became the 19th and 20th new communities ŌCHT has opened since beginning its long-term development and supply programme in 2019.

That programme has so-far added 401 new homes and 666 new bedrooms to the city’s community and affordable housing, with more to come.

Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Christchurch Deputy Mayor Victoria Henstock joined ŌCHT to open and celebrate the new community housing communities on Tuesday.

ŌCHT chief executive Cate Kearney said the milestones reflected far more than growth: "They reflect seven years of partnerships, learning and hard work.”

"Every one of those communities exists because government, council, community housing providers, construction partners and communities chose to work together.

"So, they’re a remarkable achievement for everyone who has helped make it possible."

ŌCHT has replaced ageing housing, restored capacity lost following the Canterbury earthquakes and continually improved the quality and performance of its homes.

It’s done this with a strong focus on value and efficiency, Ms Kearney told the Elm Grove opening crowd.

A review of ŌCHT’s developments found above-ground construction costs increased by about five per cent during a period in which construction costs rose 30-40 per cent nationally.

Ms Kearney said that result reflected years of refinement in how ŌCHT designs and delivers housing.

"We've demonstrated we can deliver housing at scale and do it well," she said.

That capability was reflected not only in the homes being delivered, but in the experiences tenants reported after moving into them.

Griffiths Avenue has 13 one-bedroom homes.

"People tell us about warmer homes, lower power bills, less mould, fewer health issues and a greater sense of security.

"Those are the outcomes we're trying to create."

Housing Minister Chris Bishop said tackling New Zealand's housing crisis is going to involve the collective efforts of community housing providers like ŌCHT.

He praised ŌCHT’S delivery record and acknowledged the scale of what had been achieved so far. "I just take my hat off to you. The more than 400 homes that you will have delivered since 2019 is a considerable achievement."

Organisations such as ŌCHT brought strengths that complemented the wider social housing system.

"The real beauty of groups like ŌCHT and other community housing providers around the country is they are a bit more nimble, a bit more connected to their tenants and a bit closer to the community."

Councillor Henstock said Griffiths Avenue reflected the high standards that had become a hallmark of ŌCHT developments.

"OCHT consistently delivers outcomes beyond contractual expectations," she said.

Elm Grove features cottage-style homes at the street.

"What you're doing is achieving more housing for less. More for less. That is always a winner."

The homes sat comfortably within their neighbourhood and reflected the care and attention invested in their design.

"It's clear that there's a lot of thought and pride that goes into the way that the ŌCHT homes are designed.

"These are places that sit comfortably within our neighbourhoods, and they are homes that tenants and owners can be really proud of."

Griffiths Avenue, ŌCHT’s first entirely single-storey community, provides 13 warm, dry and energy-efficient one-bedroom homes designed to support independent living.

The homes incorporate Structural Insulated Panel System (SIPS) construction, Homestar principles, passive solar design and energy-efficient systems intended to improve long-term performance while helping reduce ongoing household costs.

Just a few kilometres away, Elm Grove continues a social housing legacy that stretches back almost 70 years. It replaces ageing studio units with 11 modern one-bedroom homes designed to complement the surrounding Englefield Heritage Area while providing the warmth, comfort and efficiency expected of Homestar housing.

Neighbours were involved throughout the development process, helping shape aspects of the project and ensuring the completed community sat comfortably within the existing streetscape.

The crowd gathers ahead of the Elm Grove opening.

Mr Bishop noted the support - and input and advice - the development received from neighbours and the wider community.

"It's really important that when new social housing does arrive, it meets with social licence," he said.

"And it sounds like to me from the nods that I'm seeing, that is going to be the case."

Trust board chair Darren Evans said every new development helped improve the next.

"Every community we build teaches us something about design, construction, sustainability, liveability and what really matters to the people who live in our homes," he said.

Those lessons continued to shape how ŌCHT approached housing delivery, with every efficiency creating opportunities to house more people and improve outcomes for tenants, taxpayers and communities.

Today the Trust manages almost 2500 homes and supports more than 2800 tenants across Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.

That growth and experience are among the reasons Parliament is considering legislation that would remove the geographical restriction limiting ŌCHT's activities to Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.

The bill was supported to Select Committee by all parties. Mr Bishop teased that “hopefully with a fair wind” the Bill could be passed by September or October, before the election.

Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Christchurch Deputy Mayor Victoria Henstock open Griffiths Avenue.

"Thank you for the amazing work that you do here in Christchurch – and potentially further afield, once we get that Bill through Parliament."

Ms Kearney said the discussion reflected the capability the organisation had developed through years of delivery.

"Whatever happens next, we're proud that the work of our team, our partners and our supporters has helped build an organisation capable of having that conversation," she said.

Mr Bishop reflected on the wider importance of housing.

"If we can solve our housing crisis as a country, there is nothing we can't do as a country," he said.

"We solve our housing crisis, we will set New Zealand up for years of prosperity because solving housing is the single best thing we can do to make this a more wealthy, prosperous and equitable country.”