Hohepa opens two new homes in Napier designed to reduce sensory overload

Hohepa Hawke’s Bay has opened two new specially designed children’s homes, with the interior design designed to reduce sensory overload and aid social interaction.

The houses cost $ 1.4 million to build with money raised with the help of trusts and private donations.

Hohepa is a provider of disability services, serving children with special needs and adults with intellectual disabilities, and the two homes were the first of many developments aimed at comprehensive support.

The Tobias and Whetu houses, located on Fryer Rd, Poraiti, Napier, were officially opened by Children’s Minister Tracey Martin and Napier MP Stuart Nash on Thursday.

Oranga Tamariki and the Ministry of Health help support day-to-day operations, and Hohepa raises funds through trusts and private donations for capital projects.

Martin said the purpose-built houses were a “wonderful resource” for all the young people Hohepa cared for.

“Some of the children living in the houses are under the care of Oranga Tamariki and as a minister I appreciate that connection,” Martin said.

“But what Hohepa does is offer community to special young people and their families, and that is something that all of New Zealand can value.

“It was a privilege to be part of the official opening.”

Santiago De Marco, general manager, said that home design could have a dramatic effect on people with intellectual disabilities.

“We want the best family-friendly and spectrum-friendly living environments that have specific therapeutic qualities,” he said.

“Tobias and Whetu are houses built especially to meet the unique needs of children ages 11-17, and together they serve eight children. They support a unique living environment, which means that both houses can offer individualized support.

“The children’s houses have built-in safety features and an environmentally sustainable design. These include a focus on energy efficiency through building materials, solar panels, and underfloor heating.

“People on the spectrum are often unable to process moderate levels of light, noise, color, odors, and textures. Things like striped wallpaper or the noise of a refrigerator or the flickering of a fluorescent lamp can, in themselves, become distressing in certain circumstances.

“The design of the house focuses on a clear and simple design to make the home environment predictable and understandable. We seek to create a sense of clarity and order in the home through design to achieve a quiet place to live.”

De Marco said Hohepa hoped to raise $ 10.5 million to relocate the people they supported at Clive.

“We have already started working on three units for a total of eight people in Taradale,” he said.

Hohepa maintains level 1 social services accreditation from the Ministry of Social Development for all services, including residential services.

All children and young people have their own room in a home that they can freely customize. The houses are spread across community farm sites and others are located in the Napier community to meet different needs.