Habitat Victoria Welcomes Mother and Three Children to Final Unit at North Saanich Build
August 26, 2023, NORTH SAANICH, B.C.: On Saturday, August 26, Habitat for Humanity Victoria celebrated local mother Nen and her three children receiving the keys to their affordable home with a Key Ceremony. This is the final family to move into Habitat’s latest build: a 10-unit multi-family complex in North Saanich.
When the owners of Nen’s rental home provided her notice that they were moving back into the home, Nen and her three children found themselves subject to a rental market they could no longer afford. With no other options, the family of four had to move back into Nen’s childhood home with her parents. Although the family has been grateful for a place to live, the grandparent’s home is unsuitable in size for the family. “Because we intended this move to be temporary, the closets weren’t emptied when we moved into the home. Our belongings don’t fit in the home, so almost all our personal items are in a storage locker,” says Nen. “My daughters are squished in and don’t have any personal space.”
Soon after moving in with her parents, Nen quickly discovered a new rental market with skyrocketing prices compared to nine years ago. Nen’s commitment to her children and providing them with a secure future drove her to seek other options for housing. That’s when a colleague suggested she apply for a Habitat home. She initially inquired over a year ago, but after learning more about the program from another Habitat homeowner, she decided to apply. “When we found out we qualified for a home, we cried tears of joy because we were so excited,” says Nen.
Habitat caps monthly mortgage payments at 30% of a family’s gross income to ensure houses remain affordable for homeowners. “The cost of renting right now would be my entire income plus savings, so my Habitat payments being capped at 30% of my income is phenomenal. That will make a massive difference in our income stability,” says Nen.
As part of the partnership with Habitat Victoria, homeowners are asked to complete 500 volunteer hours. A portion of these hours can be done by friends and family, and Nen has received an overwhelming amount of support from her network in completing these hours. “30 people have volunteered for me, and probably another half a dozen have offered. Many of them are from my workplace, and it has felt incredible to have that many people at work appreciate me enough to step in and help,” says Nen. “Another dozen of them have been family and friends. It has been amazing to see that outpouring of people that are willing to jump in.”
“Today, we witnessed new beginnings for mother Nen and her three children in their Habitat Home. This momentous occasion reminds us of the stability that an affordable home provides for families. Together, we can help more families like Nen’s put down roots and build a brighter future,” says Scott Dutchak, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Victoria.
Since 2019, the federal government has made a total funding commitment of $80.8 million to Habitat for Humanity through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF) under the National Housing Strategy to build homes across Canada.
“Today’s key ceremony demonstrates what can be achieved under the National Housing Strategy through partnerships like the one with Habitat for Humanity,” said the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities. “Through the government’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity Victoria, Nen and her family have achieved the dream of home ownership in the community of their choice. By working with local organizations who know their needs best, the government is developing nuanced solutions to meet housing needs.”
About Habitat for Humanity Victoria
Habitat for Humanity Victoria brings communities together to help families build strength, stability, and independence through affordable homeownership. Founded in 1990, Habitat Victoria has built 34 homes and served 39 families in the Capital Regional District to date.
Through volunteer service, efficient management, funder support and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat for Humanity Victoria builds safe, decent, and affordable houses. Habitat houses are then sold to qualifying partner families and financed with affordable mortgages. In addition to mortgage payments, each homeowner invests hundreds of hours of their own labour through volunteer service into Habitat projects, including the building of their own home and the homes of others partner families, as well as its ReStores and events.
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Christian Stronach