Te Pu, at 180 Willis St, offers 74 quality two- and three-bedroom apartments for Wellingtonians on medium to low incomes.
Anyone can apply for a Te Kāinga rental apartment, but applications are prioritised for people who don’t own their own home, and earn under $95,000 per individual or $150,000 per couple or family.
The Council has expanded the job role priority criteria for Te Kāinga applicants. It now includes those working in job creation industries such as public transport, hospitality, tourism, healthcare, education and training, Māori organisations, the arts, and start-ups, as well as those in the public sector.
The update of Te Kāinga’s priority application policy was made in response to feedback and supports the Council’s Economic Wellbeing Strategy.
Mayor Tory Whanau says the change creates a win-win situation.
“Wellington’s workers need a place to call home and our city’s businesses need workers who can afford to live in our city. It will go some way towards alleviating the shortage of affordable housing in the central city.”
Councillor Tamatha Paul, Chair of the City Council’s Kōrau Tūāpapa Environment and Infrastructure Committee says: “Te Kāinga is about repurposing old office buildings into affordable homes to rent in the inner city. We want people to be able to live in the central city close to where they work, study and play.”
Rents for Te Kāinga Te Pu start from $621 a week for a two-bedroom apartment. Rents are priced below market rate for the inner-city location.
Apartments come unfurnished with all new whiteware, fixtures and fittings, including fitted wardrobe systems, blinds, and carpets. Residents also benefit from free Wi-Fi, free rubbish/recycling, and secure bicycle parking.
Bookings for viewings are open now at tekainga-apartments.nz/vacancies
First viewings will take place 27 February – 2 March, with more dates to be added throughout March. Apartments will be available to move in from the end of March.
For more information visit tekainga-apartments.nz or contact the team at tekainga@wcc.govt.nz.
As well as the Te Kāinga rentals, the Te Pu building includes 32 homes which will be leased by the Council’s City Housing service for its tenants. City Housing will match tenants to these homes.
The Te Kāinga rental initiative is a joint venture between the City Council and private developers. Two other nearby buildings, Aroha and Te Aka, containing 106 apartments, were opened in the past two years. The opening of Te Pu brings the total number of Te Kāinga apartments to 180.