Nelson Cabin Community Opens

A new multi-partner transitional housing initiative in Nelson, aimed at tackling homelessness, has welcomed its first residents.

The new Cabin Community Wikitōria—a joint effort involving the Victory Community Anglican Church, Habitat for Humanity and Housing First Nelson Tasman—provides accommodation for homeless people in eight cabins arranged in a community. 

The Cabin Community is on land owned by the Victory Community Anglican Church, and the cabins—provided by Habitat for Humanity Nelson and built through a building apprenticeship at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology—are suitable for one person each. The community includes access to a common area containing a kitchen and communal toilets and showers.  

Housing First Nelson Tasman is a collaborative partnership between Te Piki Oranga, the Male Room and The Salvation Army Nelson Tasman Bays Corps, which focuses on providing wraparound services, such as assistance with mental health, addictions, relationships and budget services, along with help into employment, for those seeking housing support. 

The project took around a year from start to completion, with the cabins officially opened on 12 December 2022.