Three New Homes, Three New Beginnings

In late July, Habitat for Humanity Nelson celebrated the completion and dedication of three new homes in Wakefield. Our partner families were warmly welcomed into their new community with a gathering of nearly 100 people who came together to mark the significant milestone in our mission to provide stable, secure, and affordable housing in the Nelson / Tasman region.

Part of our Progressive Home Ownership (PHO) programme, each home represents new beginnings, greater stability, and the foundation for long-term wellbeing. The rent-to-own model offers an alternative to the private rental market, which for many does not provide security of tenure or long-term community connections.

The Wakefield development came to life through the strength of our partnerships. The land, formerly owned by the Spring Grove Church of Christ, was generously made available to Habitat for development. The homes themselves were constructed by NMIT trade students, providing valuable hands-on training while contributing directly to the local housing supply. Funding for the project was secured through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development’s Progressive Home Ownership Fund, which enables organisations like Habitat Nelson to support families access affordable housing.

Over the next two years we have 32 more homes in the pipeline, as we continue to work hard towards our vision of a world where everyone deserves a decent place to live. With the ongoing support of partners and community members, we remain committed to building homes—and building hope—for our region.