MP for Maungakiekie Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has applauded a building project launched today that will provide much-needed housing for high-needs residents in Panmure.

Mr Lotu-Iiga today helped lay the mauri stone for a four-storey apartment complex being built for the Chinese New Settlers Trust. The trust received $5.3 million from the government’s Social Housing Fund towards the $10.5 million project.

The building, which will have 36 one-bedroom units and a community services office, is the trust’s first social housing project. Its aim is to provide affordable rental homes for local lower income families and seniors.

“This is an exciting new development for this area. With good quality, affordable housing in demand in Auckland, it is good to see the local community helping itself by providing this for its higher needs residents,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

The development is close to shops, transport and local facilities.

“A community that looks after its new migrants, children and young people, and senior citizens, is a community that will thrive. The Chinese New Settlers Trust is to be congratulated for its visionary approach to providing wraparound services to those with higher needs in the community,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

The Chinese New Settlers Trust provides services to new Asian migrants and the wider community and aims to eventually provide financially sustainable social services, education and housing.