Wakefield has its first Habitat for Humanity homes which will provide an opportunity for three families to work their way towards home ownership.
The first of the three new family homes, built on contract with Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT), was transported to the former Spring Grove Church of Christ site at 71 Whitby Rd in Wakefield on Monday morning.
The homes are part of Habitat for Humanity’s Progressive Home Ownership programme that will provide affordable rent-to-buy opportunities.
Habitat for Humanity chief executive, Katrina Bach, says it’s a first for Wakefield and has “been a long time coming.”
“But it’s great to see it happening. There is a housing need in Wakefield. These are the Progressive Home Ownership programme for low to middle-income families that can’t quite get over the deposit barrier. This gives them the opportunity to do that and going towards achieving home ownership.”
Katrina says they already have one family lined up for one of the new homes and will now be going through the process to find another two families.
“It’s often easier for families to be able to see the houses first. The families should all be in there by June, which is very cool.”
Families enter an agreement with Habitat for Humanity and pay an affordable rent, which contributes towards a deposit for a mortgage. The house is valued before the family moves in and becomes the agreed purchase price when the family is ready to purchase the property from Habitat at the end of five to 10 years.
Katrina says the homes make good use of the former church land, with Habitat for Humanity’s purpose to provide homes for families aligning well with the church’s purpose. She says they will be good-sized sections with homes that connect with the outdoors to make the most of the region’s climate.
Information meetings about Habitat’s Progressive Home Ownership programme and the available homes in Wakefield will be held soon, with details to come.
Anyone interested in the houses and the opportunity to work towards owning their own home can contact Habitat for Humanity Nelson at nelson@habitat.org.nz
