Home ownership on the horizon for Tirau father of four

Mar 5, 2015

6 March 2015, for immediate release

After years of struggling, single Tirau parent Terry McLean is looking forward to his family’s future, beginning with a warm winter in a home built by Habitat for Humanity volunteers.

The past five years have been difficult for Terry and his children Jeremy (9) and Jessica (8), and step-children Jennifer (17) and Jordan (15). Their mother and Terry’s wife Michelle passed away in 2011 after a battle with acute myeloid leukaemia.

It was her wish that Terry and children move closer to his extended family in Tirau. They found a house to rent, but it’s been damp, cramped, cold and without working fireplaces. It’s also for sale.

The family of five are now part of the Habitat assisted home ownership programme, and will soon move in to a new basic four-bedroom home. It was built at the University of Waikato by volunteers during orientation week and will be transported to its final spot in Tirau in April.

“Now we can actually stay in one place and we can start planning – I can put money aside and not worry about whether we’re going to have to move. It’s a weight off my mind – it’s going to be ours,” he said.

Habitat for Humanity Central North Island general manager Nic Greene said partner families are asked to give 500 hours labour as part of the leg-up in to home ownership, and this often saw the whole family becoming involved.

“To help Terry’s family get started, Jennifer worked alongside university volunteers in Hamilton during the home’s build while Terry was at work as a salesperson.”

“She was excited to be part of the process, and planned to introduce her mother’s favourite colour, purple, and a tribute board to the home once they moved in.”

The programme will see Terry first rent the home which will help build up a deposit. He will then be supported to seek independent finance to buy the home from Habitat. The home will be moved on to its site before the end of March.

Terry says he is also grateful for support from Stand Children’s Services and staff and community of Tirau Primary School through the past years.

Ends.

For more information, contact:
Habitat for Humanity communications manager Tracey Cameron, phone 07 849 0284 ext 4, [email protected]