After having to sleep in the lounge because mould forced them out of their bedroom, a Whangarei couple is delighted to be moving into a brand new, healthy home with their family.
Kirsty Slack and Frank Vlamings and their blended family with five children have been chosen from 23 applications as the recipients of a new home, thanks to Habitat for Humanity. "We are very privileged to be the family that's been chosen. It all seems a bit surreal," says Ms Slack, who is looking forward to moving into their new home around February next year.
More than 60 Whangarei families expressed their interest in Habitat for Humanity's Metra Big Town Build - a home ownership scheme for a low-income family currently living in unsuitable accommodation.
Ms Slack said the family's current home was three bedrooms, but they only use two bedrooms and the lounge - which serves as the couple's bedroom. "We've had problems with condensation, poor ventilation and recurring mould.
"At one stage there was thick mould all over the ceilings throughout the house, which was cleaned by landlord.