Habitat Huron County completes another home, continues supporting those in need of affordable housing

Lori and her two children receive the keys to their new home.

When Habitat Huron County nears the completion of building another home, the organization announces a key ceremony, to celebrate the qualifying family who buys the home.

On a sunny day, Lori and her two children received the ceremonial keys to their new home and move in soon.

The special event brought Habitat ReStore staff and dignitaries including MPP Lisa Thompson, Mayor Trevor Bazinet, and Councillor Liz Petrie.

“It was a record turnout,” said Bill Don, former Board Chair and recent recipient of the King Charles Coronation medal for exceptional volunteerism.

“Our Huron County community really cares about affordable housing.”

According to Rob Evans, Habitat Huron County’s new Executive Director, nearly 1,000 volunteer hours contributed to this new home build of a single-family home with an attractive front porch and garden.

Dozens of people volunteered, plus the ReStore contributed directly to staff the partnership, donation and building efforts.

“The Habitat Huron County Board recognizes our community’s growing need for building many more quality affordable homes,” Evans said.

“We’re preparing to be building more.”

At this moment, Habitat Huron County is not accepting new applicants. When the application process opens, Habitat looks for regular history of earnings, and the need for affordable housing as requirements prior to selected a family to purchase the home.

With a housing crisis lingering across Canada, the issues causing this are the same in Huron County, but perhaps worse, as Evans explains that the need for affordable housing in this region has doubled in five years.

Currently, there are 550 people on the waitlist, and that’s only individuals or families signed up on Huron County’s waitlist.

The lack of affordable housing also impacts local businesses’ ability to fill jobs and retain talent, because 80 per cent of working individuals in Huron County earn less than $25 per hour.

“At that rate, people can’t afford to own,” Evans added.

“Most can’t afford to rent. There is a shortage of housing stock available in general, and the cost of living has gone up faster than people’s income. That’s where we can help.”

For those interested in volunteering or making donations to Habitat Huron County, visit the website or contact Dave, the volunteer coordinator at volunteer@habitathuroncounty.ca