Upgrade for Newtown Housing

A complete refit of one of our social housing complexes, Newtown Park Flats, has begun.

There are three phases to the project and the first is due for completion in December. The entire project will take about two years to complete.

"It's great for both the tenants and the community that Newtown Park Flats can be a place everyone can feel proud of," says Vicki McLaren, Manager City Housing Services.

The project is part of the $400 million, 20-year housing upgrade programme for all Wellington City Council's housing complexes, which is being jointly funded by the government.

Work at the Newtown Park Flats includes earthquake strengthening, making homes warmer and drier, improving kitchens and bathrooms and giving disabled tenants better access. As well, safety and security will be improved and outside, we'll be landscaping.

Tenants have been involved in the redesign, which has given them a chance to say what the problems are and suggest solutions. In the early stages the architects walked around the complex with tenants and service providers such as ambulance and police, so they could see the area through their eyes.

The first of the Council's three housing complexes in Newtown to be upgraded was Te Ara Hou Apartments, which was completed last year. Last year the first phase of an upgrade to Hanson Tower in Newtown was finished, and upgrading another Council housing complex in Newtown, Regent Park Flats, has also begun, and will eventually have 27 family units.