Canterbury earthquake: Contract awarded for portable dwellings in quake hit Canterbury

14 April 2011: Contracts to roll out portable dwellings if and when needed across Canterbury have been awarded to preferred suppliers. Portable dwellings will provide further temporary accommodation for people whose homes were badly damaged as a result of the Canterbury earthquakes.

The Department of Building and Housing received 226 submissions. Three providers have been chosen who best meet the criteria, and who will be providing the first portable dwellings (around 300). These are a consortium of Hawkins/Spanbild/Fulton Hogan; Jennian Homes; and New Zealand Transportable Units.

In addition, the Department will establish a panel of chosen providers which includes these companies, plus three others who have a proven ability to provide further supply if required. These are, Smith Crane; Hawkins Falcon; and Tranzasia.

The criteria for selection included a recognised capability to deliver portable dwellings effectively and quickly, and for a competitive price. Several of the companies also have strong connections to Christchurch and manufacture the dwellings in the area using local staff.

Hawkins/Spanbild/Fulton Hogan manufacture and source labour and services from Christchurch. Jennian Homes has a strong local presence with franchises based in Canterbury. New Zealand Transportable Units is setting up a Christchurch factory.

Portable dwellings will be available for up to two years on dedicated sites, and will also be available for use on private sections. Certain criteria will need to be met for use on private sections. For example the land and access to the section must be suitable; placement must be for a minimum of six months, and the homeowner will need to meet some of the installation costs.

Sites for villages where the portable dwellings will be placed have been chosen working with local Councils and Civil Defence. Sites include Linwood Park, Rawhiti Domain and a site yet to be confirmed in Burwood.

Discussions are underway with Waimakariri Council regarding possible sites in Kaiapoi that would be suitable for temporary dwellings. These could be made available on these sites for a longer period if necessary.

The portable dwellings will be of varying sizes and configuration. Some will be fully self-contained units with kitchen and laundry units and sleep up to six people. Others will be sleep-out, laundry or bathroom units only which could be placed on private sites so that people could stay on their property.

The Temporary Accommodation Service will work with people on a case by case basis to help them decide what temporary option suits them best. The priority will be to use available rental properties in the existing housing market first. At the moment, the supply of rental properties still outstrips demand. But that is expected to change as repairs to houses begins.

Homeowners and private rental tenants whose homes are uninhabitable are eligible to access the government subsidized options like portable dwellings.

Rental costs will apply. These are:

2 person $190 per week
4 person $271 per week
6 person $337 per week

Homeowners or tenants who have contents insurance will be eligible for temporary accommodation support from their insurer to offset rental costs. Contents insurance policies generally provide temporary accommodation support for at least six months, and often for up to 12 months, depending on the policy. When such temporary accommodation support lapses, but a homeowner or tenant's primary dwelling is still uninhabitable, they will be eligible for rental subsidies under the government's Temporary Accommodation Service.

The first portable dwellings should come on stream from May, and will provide a continuity of temporary accommodation supply to replace the campervans as required.

To find out more or register for a portable dwelling, contact the Temporary Accommodation Service:

Web: www.quakeaccommodation.govt.nz
Call: 0800 673227 or visit Work and Income offices (addresses on the web site)

For further information contact Department of Building and Housing: 027 258 2849