Lotu-Iiga Sam: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is subject to correctionLotu-Iiga Sam: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 05 December 2013. Volume:695;Page:15302. Text is subject to correction.]12.Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA (National—Maungakiekie) to theMinister of Housing: What new developments in Christchurch and Auckland is the Government progressing to increase the supply of housing?Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister of Housing): Last week I announced a new $12 million 44-unit social housing complex in Hornby involving the New Zealand Housing Foundation the Salvation Army Abbeyfield and the Housing Plus Charitable Foundation with financial support from the Government and the Canterbury Community Trust and the Christchurch City Council contributing the land. I have also announced today the Government’s approval for a further $31 million investment by the Government in the Hobsonville Land Co. to enable the next stage of this project to be brought forward. The combination of this funding and the fast-track development approval process from the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Bill will enable 1000 new homes to be built earlier at Hobsonville and will contribute to the housing accord goal of 39000 homes over the next 3 years.Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga: What specific measure included in these developments will help middle and lower income New Zealanders access good quality housing?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: The Housing Foundation development of new homes in Christchurch is specifically targeted at families struggling to replace homes lost in the earthquakes and at first-home buyers. The complex also includes homes for vulnerable families to be provided by the Salvation Army and it further includes Christchurch’s first Abbeyfield house a British model of elderly housing that is focused on low-income older people who benefit from shared living but who do not need rest home care. The Hobsonville development includes a specific requirement for 10 percent of homes to be under $400000 and a further 10 percent to be under $485000. I am pleased to report that these targets are being met with 248 sales at Hobsonville to date.Dr Megan Woods: Does he think his Government’s response to the housing crisis in Christchurch of 44 units is sufficient 3 years on from the earthquakes given that the number of multi-family households in Christchurch has increased by 36.5 percent there is a report in today’sPressof 30 people living in a four-bedroom home there are 5000 to 7000 people estimated by the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment to be in insecure housing in the city and there are 15000 to 25000 workers arriving for the rebuild?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: The new initiative announced in Hornby is just one of many. In fact Labour is now complaining that I am making too many housing announcements. In Christchurch Housing New Zealand is building a new house every single day—700. It is committed to repairing every one of its 5000 damaged houses in Christchurch by the end of 2015. The Canterbury Earthquake Temporary Accommodation Service has provided four villages. But I do accept that no amount of work will ever satisfy the whingers in the Opposition.