Design-and-build State house

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33671, 22 October 1974, Page 16

Design-and-build State house

The Housing Corporation yesterday took possession of its first State house built directly under the design and build scheme. The house, in Pateke Street, Linwood, cost $24,750, which included the section [of 24 perches, garage, paths. ’ drive, fencing, clothesline and better box. Both the builders and the representatives of the corporation were pleased with the deal. The house is one of 241 units to be built this financial year under the design-and-build scheme whereby the builder and the corporation agree on plans and price and the work goes on from there. The new house is a far cry from State houses of 10 years ago. Insulation in walls and ceilings and the accent on space in the living areas gives the house a roomy atmosphere. The builder, Mr R. G. Mauger, said at a brief handing-over ceremony yesterday that he and other builders were very pleased with the new State house building scheme. "If the co-operation between builders and the corporation can continue like this, the housing shortage will soon be solved,” he said. The waiting list for State houses in Christchurch at present is 1654 families. The corporation expects to house 540 of them by the end of the financial year through the design-and-build scheme. The average price the corporation is paying for house and section is $23,875. This year it will buy one five bedroom house, 18 four bedroom, 183 three bedroom and 38 two bedroom houses.