Affordable 'Model T' house for the masses

Once there were state houses, now "Model T" homes could be coming to a city near you.

Wellington property developer Ian Cassels, managing director of The Wellington Company, hopes to build between 5000 and 10,000 homes, described as "very solid and long white houses", throughout New Zealand.

"We've developed an affordable housing model which we are calling Model T" - named after the popular Ford motor car.

The houses would be spread out in groups of not more than 10 in an area, he said.

"We are aware of the potential criticisms but a row of 10 is not going to bother anybody."

Final details were still being worked out but it was hoped the houses would cost less than $200,000.

Long-term lease arrangements on the land were being looked at.

Mr Cassels said he had received an enthusiastic response to his idea of a single building consent for identical houses from the Wellington City Council and the Building and Housing Department.

This week, Building and Construction Minister Shane Jones unveiled a proposal for multiple-use consents, which would allow developers to apply for one building consent for a number of identical dwellings in either the same area or different locations.

"I think the world is actually quite pleased with Shane Jones," Mr Cassels said.

The plan would reduce building waiting times and costs.

But this week, Victoria University professor of design Roy Fleetwood said the Government's plan risked creating "banal" cardboard-cutout houses when Kiwis prized individuality.

Wellington City Council urban development and transport director Ernst Zollner said yesterdaythat the proposal was "a really brilliant idea".

"Nobody is suggesting we build Communist-style housing estates ... The challenge is to create affordable housing that is cool to live in."

- © Fairfax NZ News