Forestry company OneFortyOne provides timber to Habitat for Humanity Nelson

Habitat for Humanity Nelson and forestry company OneFortyOne have announced a new sponsorship this week that will enable Habitat Nelson to continue building strength and stability for families in housing need with their Stoke Development complex and throughout the Nelson region.

OneFortyOne’s timber is being used as internal timber framing, fencing and other hard landscaping for Habitat Nelson’s projects, all provided by our long-term supporter ITM.

Habitat Nelson’s General Manager Nick Clarke said, “We are excited to be partnering with OneFortyOne. Affordable housing is one of our region’s biggest issues and it requires collaboration and investment from strong partners. Having crucial partners like OneFortyOne supports us in the access of affordable materials through ITM, thus helping to make these decent homes affordable. Habitat Nelson has been supported by ITM for almost 30 years and were instrumental in instigating this partnership.”

Habitat for Humanity’s Progressive Home Ownership (PHO) programme is making affordable homeownership a reality for eligible families across New Zealand with a rent-to-buy model. When completed, Habitat Nelson’s Stoke Development will welcome 14 new families into the PHO programme and hand over the keys to a warm, safe home they will one day own.

“For many families in the Nelson Tasman region, decent and affordable housing is becoming difficult to find. This is having a negative impact on the mental and emotional health and wellbeing of whānau and tamariki,” says Nick Clarke, General Manager of Habitat Nelson.

“There’s a great connection knowing the trees grown to make the timber, have been grown locally for the last 28 years in the Golden Downs Forest and can now be enjoyed by families for decades to come,” said Tracy Gross, General Manager of OneFortyOne’s Kaituna Sawmill.

“We currently have 14 houses being built, with over 30 more homes to be completed by 2025, and other projects to follow. These are life changing projects for families in need; building self-reliance, families’ self-worth, increasing their hope for the future, enhancing community inclusion, and providing young children the stability and safety they need in order to succeed at school and life in general,” said Nick.