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Plans to build social housing in Millwater have upset some residents who are worried about the potential impact on the community, as well as property values in the area.
Kainga Ora (the government agency that provides rental housing for people referred by the Ministry of Social Development) purchased the site in Bonair Crescent two years ago.
It obtained resource consent after making minor amendments to the consent granted to the site’s previous owner, Bonair Developments, in 2018 – that original consent was for 38 two-bedroomed homes.
Kainga Ora plans to build 37 two-bedroom homes on the 3500sqm site. The two-storey complex will also have a community room, 38 carparks and at least 28 cycle parks.
A resident who did not wish to be named says the proposal should have involved consultation with neighbours and the community. She says there is no objection to affordable housing, but social housing is another matter.
“Bonair Crescent is close to a park, schools and public transport, ideal for Kiwibuild subsidised housing for families,” she says. “There is definitely a need for that in Millwater. What we are concerned about is having a large social housing development in the area.”
She says consent for the build should have been notified – to neighbours at least.
A group of residents have spoken with Whangaparāoa MP Mark Mitchell and will meet him this week to discuss the issue.
Mitchell says while there will be claims that this is a ‘not in my backyard’ (NIIMBY) problem, the fears of the Millwater residents are in fact well founded.
He points to another Kainga Ora development, in Weir Lane, Silverdale, that has reportedly brought with it social issues and an increase in crime.
“One of the problems is that people housed by Kainga Ora are taken out of their own communities and away from established support networks,” Mitchell says. “Pepper-potting them around in other communities is not working.”
Kainga Ora hopes to complete the Millwater project by the end of next year.
Its north and west regional director, Taina Jones, says the organisation takes an active role to ensure its customers have the right amenities and social network to settle in.
“We provide care and support to help them meet their tenancy obligations, in terms of neighbourliness, upkeep of the home and rent,” Jones says. “The overwhelming majority of our nearly 200,000 customers live well in their homes.”
Millwater developer WFH Properties declined to comment, other than to say the development must meet Millwater’s strict covenants.
