A group of low income Far North families are moving into their first homes today - after months of waiting.
Ricky Houghton in front of the affordable housing project, Whare Ora. Photo: RNZ / Lois Williams
Social housing provider He Korowai Trust has renovated and moved nine state houses from Auckland to Whare Ora: a communal village in Kaitaia.
The homes were ready last year but the trust has had to wait for the outcome of a Charities Commission review of this kind of scheme.
Mr Houghton in one of the newly renovated homes. Photo: RNZ/Lois Williams
Trust manager Ricky Houghton said that had now been resolved, and the whānau will get the keys to their homes today.
"They're all excited and we're looking forward to ... watching the kids, and hearing the pitter-patter of feet on the house floors."
Seventeen adults and 43 children will be safely and warmly housed at Whare Ora this winter, he said.
The trust will retain ownership of the land and will provide power, some food and a pre-school on site. The families will pay off their homes at $190 a week, and own them, Mr Houghton said.