Rent prices have stabilised in Christchurch but the city still needs more social housing to keep up with post-earthquake demand, the Social Housing Minister says.
The Welles Street site in central Christchurch where a new Government housing project will be constructed. Photo: RNZ / Rachel Graham
Paula Bennett today visited nine new two-bedroom units in Linwood, which are insulated and double-glazed.
About 480 Cantabrians are on the social housing waiting list, which is higher than pre-quake levels
Mrs Bennett said the country had a supply and demand problem and the Government was prioritising building more homes.
"We are housing more people and of course with the refurbishments and the rebuild that's going on, every day it is getting better for people.
"As I say, what Housing New Zealand are doing is, I think, world-leading actually in stepping in and able to rebuild the way that they are.
"But equally, we have to have more players in, we need more housing and we need it here in Christchurch as well."
Ms Bennett said quake repairs had been completed on 4000 units in Christchurch and Housing New Zealand was on track to complete 700 new builds by the end of the year.
However, a harsh winter or building problems may push the deadline out by a few months.
