Family Stories

Andrew’s family moved into their first home in 2015 after partnering with Habitat through our Progressive Home Ownership programme. “Habitat gave us the confidence that we could get a house, plan for the future, pick our kids schools, and build our lives because we know where we’re going to be. We were given that hand-up to allow us to dream and make that dream a reality.” Many Kiwi’s are locked out of the housing market and unable to save for a deposit while paying high rents. Through the Progressive Home Ownership programme, Habitat provides partner families with a pathway into home ownership. Families help to build a simple, decent home alongside Habitat volunteers and tradespersons. With affordable repayments the family rent the home from Habitat for five years before taking full ownership within 10 years – using the rent paid less Habitat’s costs as part of their deposit. The programme enables families to enjoy the stability and security that comes with owning a home.

Rebekah Smith, who is in a wheelchair, was given notice on her rental and struggled to find any accessible houses to buy or rent in Nelson. She needed to raise at least $160,000 to reach the threshold needed to receive a loan to buy her existing rental, but was unable to reach the amount she needed. Habitat for Humanity Nelson was thrilled to be able to partner with Rebekah as a tenant of their Social Rental Programme, to ensure that she can stay in a decent, secure home that is suitable to her needs, purchasing the home specially for Rebekah to live in. “They bought it exclusively for me, so it was just a big sigh of relief that it was all over. I could hardly sleep that night, it was just like; ‘wow, incredible’,” explains Rebekah. “When we read Rebekah’s story, the challenge that really resonated was trying to find a rental in Nelson at the moment is extremely difficult. Trying to find one when you’ve got mobility issues and need to get around a property in a wheelchair is a massive issue,” says Habitat for Humanity Nelson’s General Manager Nick Clarke. Habitat provided the necessary modifications Smith needed to make the home more liveable, such as installing wooden floors to make it easier for her to move around, and converting a window in her bedroom into a fire exit. While Habitat traditionally helps people into housing through our Assisted Home Ownership Programme, where people contribute to the building of homes they then rent-to-own, Smith’s situation didn’t quite first this criteria. Instead, Smiths story represented a growing need for secure housing for those unable to work in a traditional sense, but still in need of a long-term home. While Habitat owns the home, we rent the house to Smith, giving her security of tenure, allowing her to stay there as long as she needs. In December 2019, Habitat for Humanity Nelson held a housing dedication for Rebekah. It was an evening of joy and celebration, officially welcoming Rebekah into her home.

On Sunday, May 5th 2020 Habitat Invercargill staff, volunteers, and the family and friends of Moana gathered to share in a wonderful event: house dedication service for the new home that was built for Moana and her family. A place to grow in a community that would provide the strength, stability and self-reliance, and a home in which to mark life’s milestones, like birthday parties and school graduations and school balls. Moana has put in the hard work, time and effort and she finally had such a place. She said “I couldn’t have reached my dream of homeownership without Habitat for Humanity Invercargill, all the volunteers and my supportive friends and family, so thanks for helping to make this home a reality for me.” Way to go, Moana! We are excited for you!