From Rent to Roots: Single Mum Finds Homeownership Through Habitat Programme

“If you can afford market rent, you can afford to own your own home.” That’s the message single mother Geppina wants other families to hear loud and clear after achieving what many thought was out of reach - homeownership.

For years, 33-year-old Geppina juggled rising rents, the instability of leases, and the emotional weight of not knowing when the next move might come. But thanks to Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership programme, she and her 9-year-old son now have a place to truly call their own.

“I think my biggest reason for wanting to be a homeowner was so I can have something secure for my son,” Geppina shared. “Rent just disappears into thin air. I wanted something that would last- something I could pass on to him.”

Geppina had become all too familiar with the unpredictability of the rental market - skyrocketing prices, the looming risk of eviction, and a constant feeling of impermanence. “You never really know with renting,” she said. “They could message you any time and say you’ve got to move. I just wanted peace of mind.”

That peace finally came after she heard about Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership programme - one that allowed single applicants to take the first steps toward owning a home, a rarity in traditional mortgage lending. “It was super exciting,” she recalled. “Most places told me I needed two incomes to even be considered. Habitat didn’t.”

Habitat’s model bridges the gap between renting and owning, offering a stable and affordable pathway to ownership for those who might not meet strict bank criteria but can clearly afford market rent.

To apply for Habitat’s programme, working families, single parents, and couples must be earning a household income of between $80,000 - $150,000 and have an existing KiwiSaver account.

“If you're paying rent, chances are you’re already paying more than a mortgage,” Geppina added. “Habitat gives people like me - working single parents - a chance.”

Geppina is now the first in her family to own a home.

“People don’t realise this kind of help exists,” she said. “Habitat really has something special to offer. If you can afford rent, you can own a home. You just need to know where to look.”

Applications are now open for Habitat for Humanity’s Homeownership Programme in Whangārei, offering a unique opportunity for working families and couples to achieve homeownership without the need for a deposit.

These brand new, high quality two-bedroom homes in Kensington will provide local people who have dreams of owning their own home an opportunity to take an affordable step onto the property ladder.

Interested in seeing if you’re eligible for homeownership with Habitat? To learn more email northernhousing@habitat.org.nz