New Zealanders have a chance to buy one of the first 18 KiwiBuild homes in Auckland following the opening of the ballot today.
The stand-alone homes in the McLennan development in Papakura comprise of 12 three-bedroom homes selling for $579,000 and six four-bedroom homes selling for $649,000.
Applicants must be a first-time buyer or a so-called 'second chancer', and have an income of less than $120,000 for a single buyer, or no more than $180,000 for more than one purchaser.
They must also be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, or a resident visa holder who is 'ordinarily resident in New Zealand' and must intend to own and live in the home as their primary place of residence for at least three years.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says KiwiBuild is restoring the Kiwi dream of home ownership to thousands of families who have been priced out of the housing market in Auckland and around the country.
"Our Government is opening the door to families locked out of home ownership by building affordable starter homes where the market failed to do so. The ballot that opens today gives those that pre-qualify an equal chance of being able to buy their own KiwiBuild home," she said.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford says another 12 properties already under construction at the McLennan development will be completed before Christmas, including seven terraced two-bedroom homes and five four-bedroom homes.
Next year a further 58 mainly three bedroom homes will be built at the Papakura location.
Later this week the Government will be announcing the start of the next tranche of KiwiBuild homes - the first homes to be bought off the plans, Mr Twyford said.
The ballot opening today runs for four weeks to Friday October 5 and ballot winners will be contacted soon after.
The online pre-qualification process will ask for certified documentation including proof of citizenship or residency, proof of income and financial pre-approval from a bank or other lender.
The Government yesterday announced a programme to build 10,000 new homes in Auckland's Mt Roskill over the next 10 to 15 years, made up of KiwiBuild homes for first home buyers, market homes and new state homes.
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