Waiwhetū Social Housing Development
- Client Name
- Dwell Community Housing Trust
- Location
- Wellington, New Zealand
Challenge
Dwell Housing Trust provides supportive tenancy management services and collaborates with social service agencies to ensure tenant well-being and community connections. Their aim is to offer quality, affordable housing to those in need, working in partnership with local councils.
The proposed development, situated in a high-density Residential Zone, generally aligned with the policy intent of the District Plan. However, the site presented challenges related to flooding, stormwater management, and land contamination.
Solution
We supported Dwell Housing Trust in obtaining a resource consent application for the redevelopment of 119 Bell Road, Waiwhetū, into 10 social housing units. Our involvement included the initial planning and due diligence phase, ultimately leading to the preparation and submission of a resource consent application with Hutt City Council. The application was approved on a limited notified basis.
The challenges above were addressed through collaborative design efforts with the client, architects, and engineer, which fed into the final design.
Impact
The approved resource consent enables the development of additional social housing units aimed at enhancing social outcomes for vulnerable communities in the Wellington Region. This development will provide affordable, stable living conditions, reduce housing costs for lower-income individuals, and foster social equity by bridging socioeconomic gaps and creating inclusive communities. Additionally, it will benefit residents by improving their quality of life, enhancing health outcomes, and increasing economic mobility.
