Julia gets keys to home she helped to build

Mature student and mum of two Julia Walimbwa and her two sons have become the latest residents of a ground-breaking new homes venture in Liverpool.

Julia Walimbwa, 40, has completed 500 hours of ‘sweat equity’, secured a mortgage and is now the proud owner of her own home at the Liverpool Habitat for Humanity (LHFH) development on Kingsley Road, in Granby-Toxteth.

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, Julia found the energy to complete the necessary hours working on site to help build her own and other homes.

LHFH executive director Van Garber explained: “Instead of coming up with a £10,000 cash deposit, our home owners must invest 500 hours of ‘sweat equity’ physically working on site. They can then purchase up to 70% of the value of their home – gradually ‘stair-casing’ to full ownership later - and the charity will not charge them any rent on the outstanding balance for the first five years.”

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

Said Julia: “Owning my own home had always seemed an impossible dream; I didn’t have the money for a deposit and, with two young sons to look after, it was difficult to save up. Being able to invest time and effort instead of 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.”

Friends and family rallied round to help her reach her total number of required sweat equity hours and she was rewarded this week with the keys to her very own front door. Julia added: “It’s been hard work, but I have really enjoyed the experience. It’s a fantastic sense of achievement to know that I have helped to build my home with my own hands.”

Liverpool Habitat for Humanity is partway through building the third phase of homes at Kingsley Road and is currently considering applications for these three houses and future phases. Priced from £117,000 for a three-bedroom mid-terrace and from £121,500 for an end-terrace, home partners can purchase between £50,000 and 70% of the asking price in the first instance.

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 24 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.