PlaceMakers donates emergency accommodation cabins

PlaceMakers donates emergency accommodation cabins

Twenty cabins providing emergency shelter for those worst affected in Christchurch have been donated to the quake-stricken city. The ‘Rapid Response Community Shelter’ cabins were gifted today to Mayor Bob Parker by PlaceMakers CEO, John Beveridge.

The kitset cabins provide secure, warm and dry shelter, and measuring 10 square metres they comfortably fit two to four people each. The cabins are fully insulated and heated to withstand winter temperatures, and can be powered externally.

Mr Beveridge says the cabins offer an immediate solution in response to the desperate need for emergency shelter.

“Our thoughts are with the people in Christchurch as they work towards the recovery and rebuilding of their city. We are gifting these cabins to provide emergency shelter for those most in need in the city. We believe the Mayor is best placed to decide where the 20 cabins are distributed, and we’ll work together to get them delivered where they are most needed,” says Mr Beveridge.

The twenty cabins are currently being constructed at PlaceMakers’ Christchurch Frame & Truss plant, keeping local staff employed.

The first cabin is being delivered this weekend with the balance to follow over the coming week.
“In the future these cabins could serve a multitude of purposes - from providing temporary housing for search and recovery teams, to administration space for schools, to office space for businesses relocating from the CBD. They would also make great temporary housing for builders and reconstruction crews, creating a ‘builders barracks’ as the repair effort ramps up,” Mr Beveridge said.

The twenty cabins are valued at approximately $200,000 with the cost being met by PlaceMakers and its suppliers.
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Updates will be available as cabins are constructed and delivered to people in Christchurch.
1. To view the first cabin, set up

All interested media are invited to view the first ‘Rapid Response Community Shelter’ cabin at PlaceMakers, Riccarton, 2-20 Mandeville St. The cabin has been set up with an airbed, deck chairs, a portable toilet and a flat panel heater to show how the cabins can work once they are delivered to Christchurch families.

These “extras” have been donated by the Riccarton PlaceMakers team for this first cabin only.

Delivery details for this first cabin (time, address, recipients) are currently being confirmed – to be advised. (likely this weekend)

2. To see the cabins being constructed

To view the other cabins under construction, interested media can visit PlaceMakers Christchurch Frame & Truss, 1 Koru Place, Harewood (near Airport). Two cabins are constructed at a time. Cabins will be being constructed on-site over the weekend, between 7am and 3pm, and during the coming week.

Please advise your interest so we can coordinate your visit with the Frame & Truss team.
3. To see the cabins being delivered

If you would like to follow one of the cabins being delivered, please advise your interest so we can help coordinate with you.

For media enquiries please contact:

Jonelle Cooper, 021 262 6281