Whaingaroa Affordable Housing Trust (WAHT) is excited to announce the next stage in the partnership with Habitat for Humanity Central North Island (CNI). Habitat has responded to an invitation from WAHT, by reaching out a hand and saying “Let’s work together.”
From 12 March onwards volunteers and builders will join forces to build Raglan’s first Habitat home. Mondaymorning 8.30am all will arrive at the site on the corner of Main Rd and Cross St, ready to go. Amongst the volunteers is a “Global Village” team from the USA who will be working side-by-side with the Raglan family that will move into the house after its completion.
It’s a hand up, not a hand out. Habitat’s rent-then-buy scheme offers the Raglan family an opportunity to work towards homeownership on an affordable basis. “A simple, decent home is the foundation for a better life,” said Nic Greene, General Manager of Habitat CNI.
Habitat works in partnership with a range of organisations including those having links in the local community. The aim of Habitat is to eliminate substandard housing and work towards a world where everyone has a decent place to live. WAHT has seen that many baches in Raglan are cold, damp, and hard to heat in winter, yet a number are rented year round. Hence the partnership.
So what can the Raglan community contribute to all this? We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers who are keen to join us on site and help build the next Habitat home. No professional skills are required, and men and women are equally welcome. Numbers are limited though, so if you are keen let us know, because volunteers will be accepted on a first come first serve basis.
If you can’t build but can bake, there is still something for you to do! Are you good at making scones or sandwiches for hungry workers? We are looking for volunteers that can provide morning or afternoon tea, so let us know if you can help us in this area.
Vera van der Voorden, of the WAHT team, is excited about the build. “It looks like the beginning of a great partnership!” she said. And we are back to another major goal, helping our senior citizens stay in Raglan. We have already discussed with Habitat their “A Brush With Kindness” programme.
This house repair programme is aimed at low-income homeowners who are struggling to maintain their house. This can be elderly, but also those with a disability or others in need of essential home maintenance. Habitat aims to ensure the homeowner has a safe and decent place to live on an affordable basis. “It’s a great partnership, and we don’t want it to stop here,” said Vera.
Give us a call, and let us know how you can help. To volunteer, or for more information about Habitat for Humanity contact Shirley Bennett on 849 0284 or email info@habitatcni.org.nz. If you want to get in touch with a representative from WAHT, phone Mike Vine 825-0306, or Lesley Wahanga on 825-7303.
