Liverpool mum works her way onto housing ladder

Mature student and mum of two Julia Walimbwa is determined to make 2009 the year she finally gets on the property ladder – so much so, that she’s helping to build her new home herself!

In between studying part-time for a social work degree at Liverpool John Moores University, working as a hairdresser and caring for her two sons, the 40-year old from Toxteth still finds the energy to work on site at Liverpool Habitat for Humanity.

Julia is the latest would-be home owner to sign up for an innovative and award winning project designed to help low-income families onto the property ladder.

Instead of coming up with a £10,000 cash deposit, they must invest 500 hours of ‘sweat equity’ helping to build their own home and those of their neighbours. They can then purchase between 50 and 70% of the home, with no rent due on the remaining share for the first five years.

Julia, who currently lives locally in a rented property with her sons, Sydney, aged 13 and Timothy, 12, first heard about the housing charity whilst doing voluntary work with a local women’s group for refugees and asylum seekers.

She explains: “Some leaflets were dropped off at St Bernard’s Church, where the group meets, and I was interested straight away. I applied and was interviewed by the charity’s family selection committee before being accepted onto the scheme.

“I’d thought about owning my own home but it had always seemed too expensive, I didn’t have the money for a deposit and, with two young sons, it was difficult to save up. Being able to invest ‘sweat equity’ rather than cash is a great idea. It means that people like me who do not have the money available can use their strength and hard work instead.”

Julia is looking forward to moving into her three-bedroom terraced home on Kingsley Road, in Granby-Toxteth, as soon as possible this year and has currently notched up almost 200 of her 500 hours. She’s been helped by friends and family, including good friend Asunta Ojoro, who recently spent a whole week at Liverpool Habitat for Humanity working alongside Julia.

Julia adds: “It’s hard work, but I am really enjoying the experience. When I finally move in it will be a great sense of achievement to know that I have helped to build my home with my own hands. My boys are also very excited and have already chosen their bedrooms.”

Liverpool Habitat for Humanity has recently launched the third phase of homes at Kingsley Road and is currently considering applications for these three houses and future phases. Current prices are from £117,000 for a three-bedroom mid-terrace and from £121,500 for an end-terrace, with home partners able to purchase between 50 and 70% in the first instance with the help of a mortgage and their sweat equity contribution.

Van Garber, the charity’s executive director, says: “Julia is the perfect example of the type of person we are trying to help with this project, a hard working mum who’s willing to sacrifice some of her spare time to achieve her goal of home ownership. Julia and our other home partners have been working alongside volunteers from all over the world to help build these properties.”

LHFH is an affiliate of the international Habitat for Humanity organisation, which is dedicated to eliminating housing poverty. A new Habitat home is finished every 21 minutes somewhere in the world. The Kingsley Road site in Liverpool will eventually feature 32 houses.

Almost all of the labour is done by volunteers – including future home owners, students, individuals, church and community groups, and corporate team-builds – under the watchful eye of trained site staff.

For further information about Liverpool Habitat for Humanity, including how to apply for a home or opportunities to volunteer, visit Liverpoolhfh.co.uk.