Health board funding and finance general manager Robert Mackway-Jones said the residential care facility for men with mental health problems underwent an earthquake-risk assessment last year, which revealed the building had a "really low rating compared to the new code".
"We were sufficiently concerned with the report to move people out to take the next steps," he said.
The High St facility's 15 residents were told on Wednesday they would move to a "completely separate" wing of Ashburn Clinic, a private psychiatric centre in Halfway Bush, on January 23.
The service, which helped residents return to life in the community, would run as usual while it remained at Ashburn, which would be for at least six months.
Mr Mackway-Jones understood the move was "unsettling for some", but the safety of residents and staff was paramount, he said.
The shift would provide the DHB with some "breathing space" to decide whether the house would be reinforced or a new location would be sought.
