28 rental homes for essential workers in Rotorua

In Rotorua, 28 new rental homes are set to be ready by November. These homes are specifically for essential workers in healthcare, education, and emergency services. The first tenants are expected to move in before Christmas. This initiative comes as a response to rising rental prices in the area. TradeMe data shows that Rotorua’s median rent increased by 2.6% over the past year, reaching $595 per week. The wider Bay of Plenty region has the highest rents in New Zealand at $680 a week. The new rentals are located on Bennetts Rd in Koutu. They are designed to help people with moderate incomes afford housing. The homes will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms, with rents set at 80% of the market rate. This pricing is made possible by a long-term subsidy from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. Home in Place, a not-for-profit community housing provider, received an $11.2 million grant for this development last October. The aim is to improve housing access for essential workers in the community.