The programme is aimed at working couples and families who can afford rent but cannot save for a deposit – one of the biggest problems the charity heard about, he said.

Latest data from realestate.co.nz shows the average asking price in Whangārei is $815,000, requiring a deposit of $163,000.

LePointe was clear the programme was not for everyone. Selected families had to meet a minimum income threshold, be able to afford market rent and show they could manage any existing debt.

The scheme is also different to social housing. Habitat is also a community housing provider and will soon open a further 23 homes on Maunu Rd as low-cost community rentals.

“We have plans to develop more public housing but, as an organisation, we’re very committed to getting people into owning their own homes,” LePointe said.

“To alleviate poverty properly, we have to provide wealth. We try to do that through our progressive home-ownership programme.

“For middle-income families, the only thing that’s available for us in terms of long-term financial security is having an asset that’s yours, that’s a home. We try to enable that for working families.”

Habitat for Humanity’s programmes aimed to make houses more affordable in Whangārei and advocated for the Government to invest more in housing in Te Tai Tokerau, LaPointe said.

The rent-to-buy scheme was enabled by support from the previous Labour Government, which allowed the organisation to access cheap debt.

LaPointe hoped this sort of support would continue. “Public housing is not the only answer to the housing crisis … We don’t need a huge amount of money to enable people to get into home ownership.”

As well as meeting minimum income requirements, families wanting to join the rent-to-own scheme must be prepared to work with a financial mentor, be already living in Whangārei and contribute some “sweat equity” into the community, such as through volunteering.

Expressions of interest are now open on Habitat’s website, with selection taking about 10 months, by which time the new houses are expected to be finished.

Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.