Secure Homes programme gives you the chance to buy a warm, modern, energy-efficient home at a price that’s genuinely within reach. By removing the cost of land from the equation, ORA makes homeownership stable, predictable and affordable — a far better alternative to renting, and a pathway to long-term financial security.
How it Works
Secure Homes is a leasehold homeownership model. You purchase the home itself, while the land is held in long-term guardianship by the ORA Whenua Trust on behalf of the community.
You pay:
- An upfront purchase price based on the true cost to build the home (no developer margins).
- A modest monthly ground rent, which covers the Trust’s administration and stewardship of the land.
- Body corporate fees, which maintain the shared spaces, gardens and common areas of your neighbourhood — just like any well-managed community.
Because you’re buying only the home and not the land, the upfront price is significantly lower than a typical market purchase.
Your rights are protected by a 100-year renewable ground lease, registered in your name. This gives you lifetime security and the ability to live, improve, and enjoy your home just as a freehold owner would.
What It Means for You
With an ORA Secure Home, you get:
- True housing stability — no landlord, no threat of eviction, no sudden rent hikes.
- Full responsibility and control over your home, including insurance, rates, and maintenance.
- The ability to build equity over time, giving you a stronger financial position than renting ever could.
If you decide to sell, you can do so at any time. A clear and fair resale formula sets the price: your original purchase price plus an inflation adjustment, capped to keep homes permanently affordable for the next household. This protects your investment while ensuring affordability lasts forever.
Who Secure Homes Are For
ORA’s Secure Homes are designed for people who need a stable, high-quality home but are locked out of the traditional market — including first-home buyers, essential workers, growing families, and retirees looking for security and connection.
By holding the land in community guardianship, ORA ensures that affordability isn’t a one-off benefit but something that stays in place for every generation who comes after you.