Unit expansion plans

Press, 2 June 1982, Page 6

Unit expansion plans

Options for building 24 more units at the Brougham Village housing complex in Sydenham are being considered by the Christchurch City Council. A third stage of the reclamation project, alongside the Brougham Street expressway, could face Hastings Street. Three-storey blocks are one option being studied. The council’s public utilities committee said yesterday that Housing Corporation approval in principle should be sought for additional money to build the flats. . The housing and property division will also consider ways to reduce unit construction costs estimated at $50,500.

Planning for the Brougham Village’s third- stage was completed in 1977, but construction, did not proceed because of a slump in demand for that type of housing.

The housing project now has 57 public rental units and eight pensioner flats.

Without decreases in unit values, another 24 flats could cost $1.2 million.

Councillors yesterday said also that a $1,165,000 loan should be raised for 24 public rental units beside pensioner housing units at the junction, of Stanmore Road and Haast Street.

The cost per unit could be $45,458.

In another housing move, closer co-operation between the Housing Corporation and the City Council could result in more family-sized State houses becoming available. Up to 50 Housing Corporation tenants occupying family homes would consider shifting to council pensioner flats, councillors were told.

But State house tenants would not be able to edge out persons already on the council’s waiting list’ for pensioner housing.

The rate at which tenants can be transferred will depend largely on the rate of vacancies in council flats.

Ten to 12 family houses Could be freed each year under a new system, it was suggested. ,