Christchurch City Council has officially opened the first new social housing units to be rebuilt since the earthquakes.
Twelve new flats in the Maurice Carter Courts complex in Spreydon were opened on Tuesday by Mayor Lianne Dalziel.
The council is the second biggest landlord in New Zealand with about 2600 units, which run at an annual loss of about $3 million.
On Monday, council members debated what to do with the housing stock as they deal with a potential half a billion dollar shortfall of $500 million in the rebuild.
The council agreed to consult with the community over setting up an entity to oversee its social housing, allowing it to tap into Government subsidies.
