Demonstrating Liquidity: Homeowners Actively Buying Out HOPE’s Share

As HOPE Housing marks its third year of operation, we have reached a significant milestone for our Equity Buyout (EBO) program. Homeowners, motivated to increase their ownership, have chosen to buy HOPE’s share in their properties. They can do this through a home loan top-up, a savings approach, or a combination of both over time. These transactions have returned almost $1 million to the Fund, which will be reinvested to help more essential workers into homes.

These results are significant, demonstrating that HOPE’s model is working as intended.

Real Homeowner Stories

The EBO program is designed to give homeowners the option to buy out HOPE as their circumstances allow.  In 2025, over 20% of our homeowners elected to take up this option. Here are some of their stories:

• Financial windfalls: Inheritances and insurance payouts enabled several homeowners to buy out part or all of HOPE’s share.
• A complete refinance: One homeowner bought out all of HOPE’s share and refinanced their mortgage with another lender. This is an ideal outcome that reflects a core principle of our model – to provide a stepping stone to homeownership, not a permanent subsidy.
• Savings applied smartly: Others used their savings to increase their financial stake in their home. Starting the buyout process early builds equity and shows financial confidence.
• Partnering with Police Bank: With Police Bank’s support, some homeowners topped up their loans to buy back HOPE’s share.
• Career-driven flexibility: One homeowner took a professional opportunity out of the area and rented out their property temporarily. With HOPE’s support, they are using half of their rental income to buy back HOPE’s equity in their home. This shows how adaptable the program can be in meeting personal, professional and financial goals.

Why This Matters

The outcomes of the 2025 EBO round reinforce a core strength of the HOPE Housing model: it generates ongoing cash flow that can be used to provide investor liquidity or be reinvested into new housing for essential workers. At the same time, it demonstrates that homeowners are motivated to take greater ownership of their equity over time.

Momentum in Year Three

This third year has been a turning point. Each buyout represents a step forward for the homeowner, reinforcing confidence in the sustainability of HOPE’s model.

Notably, these buyouts are homeowner-driven. Essential workers are making proactive financial choices, whether using savings, windfalls or loan tops ups, to increase their equity position.

Looking Ahead

With close to 2,000 essential worker households still on our waitlist, the demand remains strong. Whilst reinvesting capital increases the impact our existing investors are making, it is the support of new investors that enables us to unlock even greater opportunities for essential workers. Together, we can expand access to attainable home ownership for those individuals who are essential to us and our communities.

As the model continues to gain momentum, these stories of progress are worth celebrating and provide a strong foundation for the years ahead.