The new Kāinga Ora homes in Brewer Street in Blenheim. Photo: Kāinga Ora
Fourteen new homes have been built by Kāinga Ora in Blenheim, amid strong demand for public housing in the region.
The new housing complex in Brewer Street replaces five old Kāinga Ora homes.
Regional director for Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast Julia Campbell said the new houses are next door to a park and close to the central city, shops, schools and other services, making them a great place for individuals and families to call home.
It comes as the number of people waiting for social housing in Marlborough has almost doubled in just over three years.
As of June, there were with 252 applicants on the Ministry of Social Development's housing register in Marlborough, up from 132 in June 2019.
In the last five years, Kāinga Ora has built 51 homes across the region and plans to complete another 73 by next June.
Construction is currently underway on 10 homes on the corner of Richmond and Charles streets, due to be completed by March.