Thu, Feb 24, 2022 10:24 AM

Three new homes for those in need

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Kate Russell

A partnership between Habitat for Humanity Nelson and NMIT has seen the creation of three new homes for those in need.

Two of the three-bedroom homes have already made the 15km journey from the NMIT Richmond campus to an interim storage area in Wakefield.

One was transported last Thursday night, one on Monday night, and the final one on Wednesday night.

The 100-square metre homes were built over a year by NMIT carpentry pre-trade students.

NMIT chief executive Wayne Jackson says the project was the biggest their construction staff had ever taken on.

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Inside one of the Habitat for Humanity Nelson homes, built by NMIT carpentry students. Photo: Supplied.

The partnership between the two organisations usually sees one house built per year, but this year it was three.

“While that presented a challenge with additional materials and space required, there was also a larger cohort of 48 students available to complete the project,” Wayne says.

Habitat Nelson general manager Nick Clarke says the houses will benefit low incomes families who need decent homes in Nelson Tasman.

It is undecided if they will be for home ownership or social rentals, with their final destination currently being finalised.

“We are working hard to secure a place where we can move these houses and start the process of looking for whānau that need a roof over their head that they can call home,” says Nick.

“There will be a few last touches needed to be finished at their final location.”

These will include details like wall painting for example, which is likely to be completed by members of the community.

Nick says the partnership between Habitat Nelson and NMIT is a “win-win” for everyone.

“We are very grateful and happy.”

Wayne agrees, saying the students benefited greatly from the experience.

“During the programme, the students not only realised the importance of working together for a common goal, but they became really competent with hand and power tools, familiar with the methodology of sub-flooring, wall framing, cladding, gibbing and working at heights.”

He says with the tutors there to support them, the students got valuable real-life experience and as close to a real building project as you can get.

“The students also appreciated working on a project that increases the affordable housing supply and helps low to moderate-income families in their own community.”

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