Home ownership - May 2006

Evaluation of two home ownership education and support initiatives: low deposit rural lending and Pacific people's home ownership programme - May 2006

The evaluation investigated what aspects of home ownership education courses and support services work well, what aspects do not work well, and why; and identified what difference participation in a home ownership education course and /or support services can make to participants.

The evaluation found that the home ownership courses and support services worked very well for the respondents.

The information and support made a difference, with the majority of respondents reporting they now knew what was required to move into home ownership.  Many reported changes in attitude and behaviour.  Many had reduced debt, increased savings, brought a house or made other changes in their lives, such as quitting smoking, changing their family's diet, or entering paid employment.

The essential ingredient for this success was the 'fit' between participant need and the facilitator skills and attributes, course content and support services.

The evaluation findings support the provision of home ownership education courses to Māori and Pacific participants by Māori and Pacific facilitators and provider organisations.