Six deserving local families will soon be helped into home ownership by Habitat for Humanity with its rent-to-buy programme – and with building underway, the charity is seeking applications.

New opportunities for Progressive Home Ownership are being offered in Tauranga's Sanctuary Point, and Papamoa's West Dune developments.

Habitat for Humanity Central Region Chief Executive Nic Greene says the community housing provider wanted to hear from local families who would otherwise find home ownership just out of reach.

'Habitat has been helping whanau into home ownership for more than 25 years, and now with the support of Bay Trust and Government loan funding as well as the support of Venture Developments, we're now able to do more in the Bay,” he said.

Nic says the rent-to-buy system gives people a 'hand up, not a hand-out”, and allows families to reach their home ownership dreams in a way that is affordable, and with some extra support from Habitat's people along the way.

'We know that securing a decent place to live goes beyond the immediate benefits of a home that's warm, dry, safe and healthy. Home ownership can be the catalyst that helps whanau to achieve in so many ways.”

'We're excited to meet people who are interested in partnering with Habitat on a home ownership journey, hearing their aspirations for themselves and their children.”

Nic says there is no catch, and that the successful whanau will enter agreements that see them rent for the first five years, before formally working towards home ownership 'normally between five and 10 years.”

Local whanau who fit the criteria are invited to complete an application form, via www.habitat.org.nz/central or to get in touch with Habitat via central@habitat.org.nz.