Ten Habitat for Humanity homes taking shape in the heart of Richmond are set to give local families a foot on the property ladder.
It is the second rent-to-buy complex built in the town by the community housing provider in the past couple of years, and Habitat Nelson’s chief executive Katrina Bach says the William St homes are a real opportunity for families finding home ownership beyond their grasp.
“We know many Kiwi families are finding it very difficult to buy their first home in the private market, and the Tasman region has been identified as one of the least affordable in New Zealand.
“It’s a chance to settle into a safe, family-friendly community.”
The rent-to-buy programme is aimed at working families with a gross household income between $100,000 and $150,000 who are struggling to save a deposit to buy their first home. Over four to five years, a portion of rent payments, after costs, are set aside to contribute to the future deposit to purchase the home.
Katrina says Habitat is seeking families who are motivated to achieve home ownership, with priority given to first home buyers and families with children.
While social posts have attracted strong interest, she says Habitat wants to connect with more local families who are eligible but may not realise it.
“We’re seeing strong interest, but people don’t always see themselves as a good fit for a programme like this. The rent-to-buy homes being built in William Street are for local families who are motivated to own a home but finding it out of reach.”
The development is expected to be completed by the end of this year, with families moving into their homes from January.
Katrina describes the William St site as a “fantastic” location that is close to schools, the town centre and Saxton Field. An information evening will be held later this month at The Habitat Hub on Tāhunanui Drive to explain how the programme works, outline application criteria and the project timeline.
Habitat completed three homes in Wakefield last year and Katrina says it is exploring land and development options for future projects in Tasman.
