Canterbury earthquake: RFP process and roll out of portable dwellings frequently asked questions
14 April 2011
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How many submissions did you receive?
We received 226 submissions in response to our Request For Proposal (RFP) for portable dwellings.
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How many submissions were successful?
Following an independent assessment process we have identified three providers that meet our top preferred criteria for portable dwellings.
These are:
- Hawkins/Spanbild/Fulton Hogan
- Jennian Homes
- New Zealand Transportable Units
In addition, the Department of Building and Housing will establish a panel of chosen providers including these three companies, plus three other companies who have a proven ability to provide additional supply if required. The additional three companies are:
- Hawkins Falcon
- Smith Crane
- Tranzasia.
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Why have you chosen six providers instead of just one?
Picking six providers, rather then just one allows us to reduce the risk associated with contracting just one company. If we need to quickly increase the supply of portable dwellings for example because of an increase in demand, we are not just dependent on one supplier. Each supplier brings different strengths, and as a managed package can deliver a comprehensive service.
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Has priority been given to Canterbury suppliers?
Yes, where possible we have set out to use companies with local connections who would be likely to use local labour and supplies to undertake this work.
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.
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What did the selection criteria involve?
A number of criteria were used, including the following. Portable dwellings had to:
- Be of a standard that would deliver safe and healthy environments for people to live in
- Be transportable onto a specific site and erected quickly, with necessary earthworks and other site preparations already carried out
- Come equipped with all amenities and services available (water and sewerage) and have these serviced regularly
- Have a plan for the disposal of the dwellings once they are no longer required.
- Be New Zealand Building Code compliant
- Be cost effective
Other criteria also applied, for example smoke alarms and a TV aerial. For a full list of criteria see the RFP on the DBH web site www.dbh.govt.nz
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Who made the final decision?
The CEO of the Department of Building and Housing, following an open commercial tender process where an independent assessment panel made recommendations.
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How many portable dwellings will be rolled out?
At this stage it is planned to provide around 300 as soon as possible. More will be made available as needed.
Currently, supply of temporary options (houses in the rental market for example) outweighs demand but we expect this to change in the coming weeks as people move back to Christchurch and consider their options.
Until we have a clear sense of demand, we are unable to confirm exactly how many portable dwellings will be required.
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When will portable dwellings be available?
We expect the first cabins to start to come on stream from May.
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What sites will be used?
Linwood Park; Rawhiti Domain; and a park yet to be confirmed in the Burwood area.
These sites are available now, and offer a range of location in the areas where there is likely to be the most demand (for example the Eastern suburbs). One of our goals was to keep people as close to home as possible. It was also important that services like electricity, water and sewerage are were available
.
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Have you consulted with local representatives about sites?
Yes. The Department of Building and Housing has been working with Council and community representatives and with Civil Defence.
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How much will it cost to access a portable dwelling?
Rental costs are as follows:
2 person $190 per week
4 person $271 per week
6 person $337 per week
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Is there financial assistance?
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.
Other financial assistance may be available to those who are eligible. Contact the Temporary Accommodation Service for more details
.
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Are they furnished?
No. Dwellings include ovens, which is standard practise for an unfurnished property.
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What about insurance?
Insurance costs will differ depending if people are using a portable dwelling in one of the dedicated villages, or on their own private property. Some dwellings will be purchased and some will be leased. Final insurance arrangements are still to be finalised.
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Who is eligible to access a portable dwelling?
Home-owners and private rental tenants whose homes were made uninhabitable after the earthquakes.
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How do you define uninhabitable?
If your home has been red or yellow stickered it is uninhabitable. It may also be uninhabitable if it has been flooded with silt for example. Contact the Temporary Accommodation Service for more details.
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What about if someone wants a portable dwelling but they’re not eligible?
They will not be able to access the government supported portable dwellings although we can put them in touch with companies that supply portacabins.
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Can someone just have a bathroom or laundry unit on their land?
Yes. People will need to register with the Temporary Accommodation Service first so that we can determine their needs, and carry out an assessment of their land, if it is established that they are eligible to access a portable dwelling.
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What about longer term temporary accommodation like modular housing?
Options to address longer term housing needs will be part of the Canterbury Recovery planning.
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What about the campervans?
Our intention is to scale down the campervans as portable dwellings come on line, especially as some will need to be returned in time for the Rugby World Cup. A supply of portable dwellings from May will ensure continuous service for people who need it.
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How do people register for a portable dwelling or financial assistance?
Call: 0800 673227
Online: www.quakeaccommodation.govt.nz
Visit: Work and Income service centres at (opening hours for individual offices are noted in parentheses):
- DBH, 10 Nelson Street, Riccarton
(Monday - Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm)
- Waimakariri Earthquake Hub, 23 Sewell Street, Kaiapoi
(Monday - Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm)
- Hornby Heartlands, 25 Shands Road, Hornby
(Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm, Wednesday 9:30am-5:00pm, Saturday, 10:00am-2:00pm)
The service centres below are open during the following times:
Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm)
- Linwood Community Link, 154 Aldwins Road, Linwood
- Nga Hau e Wha Marae, 250 Pages Road, Aranui
- Wainoni/Aranui Recreation, CentreParklands Baptist Church
- 180 Queenspark Drive, Parklands
- St Faiths Hall, 46 Hawke Street, New Brighton
- Delta Community Support Trust, 105 North Avon Road, Richmond
- Sydenham Community Centre, 23 Hutcheson Street, Sydenham
- Lyttleton Recreation Centre, 25 Winchester Street, Lyttleton.
All service centres will be closed on Sunday.
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