The Salvation Army opens new social housing development

The Salvation Army is taking on Aotearoa New Zealand’s housing shortage with a programme of sustainable long-term rental accommodation construction.

A new, 22-house development at Westgate blessed today with karakia by kaumātua, follows the Army’s 2019 opening of a new apartment complex Te Hōnonga Tāngata at Royal Oak.

Te Manaaki Tāngata includes twenty, two-bedroom homes, and two, one-bedroom units. It is located at 16 Kapia Road (off Don Buck Road).

Architects, Fat Parrot, were tasked with creating sustainable, warm, dry and innnovative housing, and Fiona Matthews, National Operations Manager Salvation Army Social Housing, says they have done just that.

“It starts with the SIPS – Structural Insulated Panels. Along with a heat-transfer system, the panels will ensure the houses are warm and dry, and importantly, heating costs should be lower for the tenants.”

The $9.1m project is built on land owned by The Salvation Army in a rapidly growing area of Auckland that is close to services and schools. The builder was Meridian Construction.

Hot on the heels of Westgate is The Salvation Army’s development in Chapel Road, Flat Bush, which is set to open at the beginning of 2021.

The Salvation Army National Director of Social Housing Greg Foster says, “Te Manaaki Tāngata is designed to allow for a community to develop, with tenants offering support to one another, and the Westgate Salvation Army Corps right on the doorstep.”

Tenants will come from the Social Housing Register and are expected to move in during July/August.

Mr Foster said building long-term social housing was an extension of The Salvation Army’s mission to give people a helping hand, and by doing so, offer hope.

Te Manaaki Tāngata – (To support/take care/show respect/look out for/enhance the mana of/show hospitality to the people)
This name encompasses the mission of William and Catherine Booth to stand alongside and care for people in all situations

For enquiries contact: The Salvation Army Territorial Media Officer, 021 945 337, email: media@salvationarmy.org.nz