By Juanita Copeland
The first of 300 temporary homes for Christchurch quake victims should be ready for occupation within a matter of weeks.
They’ll be moved onto sites into the eastern suburbs, but not everyone in the area is pleased to have the temporary buildings near their own.
Tasha Preece’s New Brighton home overlooks Rawhiti Domain – soon to be home to portable houses.
While she understands the need for them, Ms Preece says she is disappointed they’ll practically be in her front yard.
“The main reason we bought here was we amalgamated two families and it was great – we had a park where we could take the children, walk the dogs and have that outlook, just not another house.”
Instead, the Preece family will be looking at a group of temporary homes, supplied by three companies, including New Zealand Transportable Units.
“They’re fully self-contained, they’re built like a house. So in terms of that, it’s quite a tidy package,” says spokesman Victor Kendall.
The houses start from one bedroom units and go up to four bedroom houses.
“In the bathroom we have laundry tub, space for a washing machine, a toilet and a full shower,” says Mr Kendall.
Rent starts at $190 a week for a two-person unit. The biggest ones will cost around $340 a week. They will all be constructed in Christchurch by local contractors.
“We expect to be making somewhere around eight to 10 of these a week,” says Mr Kendall.
Up to 10,000 people may need alternative housing and if they can’t get a house to rent, they can apply for one of the units at Rawhiti Domain, Linwood Park and an undecided location in Burwood. They will replace the largely unused campervan village.
The units will not only be in parks, but if there is enough space they can be located on the section of a damaged house.
The first houses are expected to be ready next month.
3 News