The government housing agency is redeveloping four sites in Albertson Ave which will turn 11 existing houses into 20 new homes.
As part of the redevelopment, contractor Right Hire had an extensive breakdown of nearly all the materials that existed in the old houses.
Right Hire director Craig Hemopo said about 75 Port Chalmers residents have been able to get something from the former houses.
"We've saved about 15 tonnes of rimu that was turned into about 100 bits of furniture by a Christchurch woodturning firm.
"Fencing has been collected for duck-shooters, there were about seven ovens repurposed, other people have managed to acquire Pink Batts for insulation.
"We tried to salvage as much as we could. Nearly the whole community has been supportive of our efforts.
"We've been doing this as the housing project progresses and, on one day, there was a line of about 20 cars with trailers loaded with stuff from the old houses."
"The contractors who were doing the salvaging couldn't have been nicer," he said.
"They were absolutely encouraging of us."
He said the sinkers would go to fishers in the community, as would any fish caught.
"So in our small way we're giving back."
As he lived right beside the housing development, he had been watching it with interest.
"Communication has been good. They all realise people are interested in what’s going on."
Mr Hemopo said it had been a rewarding experience.
He said it had also donated more than $3000 to Port Chalmers Primary School.
"We collected the koha from the residents; we weren't out to make a profit from this exercise."
Kāinga Ora regional director Kerrie Young said the agency hoped to host similar initiatives for future housing redevelopment projects.
"Craig and his team have done an incredible job salvaging as much of the existing homes as possible and thanks to the community’s readiness to make use of the materials, we’ve been able to contribute to the education of their tamariki.
"We’re really looking forward to delivering the new homes in Port Chalmers and customers moving in next year."
The Albertson Ave sites have now been cleared, ready for construction to begin in the new year.
The first of the new homes is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2024.
