Today, Habitat for Humanity Halton broke ground on its first build in Milton. Habitat Halton has been helping local families to alleviate the cycle of poverty since its inception in 1999 by providing affordable housing solutions to families in need. Habitat’s financial model makes it possible for families with incomes below the poverty line to purchase homes at fair market value.
Halton Region Chair Gary Carr and Mayor Gordon Krantz led the gathering of local dignitaries, sponsors and Habitat volunteers to celebrate the latest project of Habitat Halton, which will be completed by summer 2012. Land for the new Habitat for Humanity home is in a Mattamy Homes development currently under construction in Milton and was donated by Mattamy for the build.
“This ground breaking in Milton demonstrates how the Town of Milton can come together to help a family in need,” said Anne Swarbrick, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Halton. “Mattamy Homes and the Oakville, Milton & District Real Estate Board have taken the lead sponsorship roles to make this happen. We look forward to other Milton corporations and individuals joining Prosperity ONE, and a generous couple who prefer to remain anonymous, to help fill the sponsorship opportunities available in completing this home. We are extremely grateful to Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life for its generous support.”
“We are proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity Halton to help them in their mission of making the dream of homeownership possible for hard working families,” said Peter Gilgan, Founder & CEO of Mattamy Homes. “At Mattamy we recognize the importance of community to our business and in our society, and we truly believe that it’s important for us to be part of, and give back to, the communities in which we develop and build. Habitat for Humanity is such a key part of bringing communities together, and we’re pleased to support them.”
“The Oakville, Milton & District Real Estate Board (OMDREB) is proud to be associated with a world renowned charitable organization that is helping members of our own community fulfill their home ownership dreams,” said Jack McCrudden, 2011 President, Board of Directors, OMDREB. “As realtors we know the excitement a new home means and it will be a pleasure to watch this house become a home to such a large and deserving family. We congratulate this family on its plan to set their roots in their community as homeowners. We are honoured to take part in making home ownership a reality for them. We have successfully raised over $100,000 for Habitat Halton to date.”
December 6th marked the beginning of a very exciting time in the life of a Halton family. Ginger, a hard working mother, and her four children are currently living in a small and overcrowded townhouse. One of the children’s bedrooms is in an unfinished basement - a space shared with the furnace, washing machine and dryer. The walls are partially concrete and the windows are too small to serve as an emergency exit. The townhouse has exhibited health challenges such as a mold problem in the bathroom which creates breathing problems for one of the children. Ginger has worked diligently to get her finances in order and her energetic family is committed to working as a team with Habitat as they start their new life in Milton. The family has been diligently building up its “sweat equity” hours, a Habitat requirement for new homeowners. The family can begin to build up equity and, it can start to make major improvements in their lives one step at a time.
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