Work on 16 new elderly persons housing units at Friendship Lane hit a milestone last week, with tradies and Councillors invited to a roof shout.

All the new units now have a roof and are in various stages of construction. Units 15 and 16 at the southern end of the site are having gib installed, while Units 1 and 2 at the northern end are still at the framing stage.

Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown said the $4 million project was on time and on budget, and looking good.

“It’s great to hit this milestone ahead of Christmas and it’s obvious that a lot of work has been done since our last visit in October. We can see the size and layout of the new homes, and how the site will be landscaped with new pathways and by using the existing trees and grass.”

Eight duplexes (two units together) built in the 1970s were demolished to make way for the new homes, which are among 51 elderly housing person units in Friendship Lane.

The project qualifies for assistance from Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, with 43 per cent of the cost to be covered by an Affordable Housing Fund grant.

Mayor Brown said the new homes were being built by BP Construction, with the use of local tradespeople.

“Another good aspect to this project is that the plans can be replicated for any other affordable housing projects in the community. These are modern, fit-for-purpose and efficient homes.”

Work will pause over the Christmas break and resume in the New Year, with the project expected to be completed by mid-2025. Landscaping will be low-maintenance and include a communal gathering area outside.