Tuterangiwhiu and Carmen are one of three families in Sanctuary Point, Tauranga, who are working towards home ownership within the next 10 years through Habitat for Humanity’s Progressive Home Ownership programme.
The Te Arawa and Ngāti Tūwharetoa whānau were sharing a single bedroom with their two daughters for almost three years before receiving the keys to a new three-bedroom home through Habitat’s rent-to-own programme.
“You’ve just helped me break the cycle of homelessness in my family. My children will always have somewhere safe and warm,” Carmen said.
Habitat’s programme supports families with security of tenure and affordable rent payments, which will contribute towards a mortgage when the families are ready.
After moving rentals several times, Stuart, Deearn, and their kids say their new house has felt like home from the moment they first walked in. The affordable rent payments have alleviated their financial worries, offering a brighter future.
“It’s helping us to manage our finances. We’d be really struggling right now if we didn’t get this opportunity,” said Deearn.
Having a warm, dry, and healthy home has been massive for Andrew and Aline’s family, who haven’t been as sick since moving in. With two immune-comprised people living in the house – including a double-lung transplant recipient – a healthy home is vital.
“We have noticed massive changes since moving in here,” said Aline.
“It’s given us comfort, and knowing where our future is heading is something we haven’t experienced as a couple yet, until working with Habitat,” Andrew said.
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