Key Ceremony event for new Castlegar Habitat for Humanity Build Project
By Contributor
On Friday Habitat for Humanity Southeast BC celebrated the completion of their new affordable housing project in Castlegar that will house four families. The keys to the homes are being presented to the selected families in celebration of their new homeownership journey.
These families will be given the opportunity to achieve the dream of affordable homeownership thanks to the generous support and involvement of our supporters, volunteers, and staff, all of whom have contributed to Habitat for Humanity’s newest build project in Southeast BC.
“We know that the housing crisis has made it difficult for families to envision themselves owning a home in British Columbia,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing, “This project shows that through collaboration and partnership we can help people connect with their communities and create a lasting future for themselves in British Columbia. We will continue to support families by investing in affordable housing options.”
“Castlegar is a community that looks after its own and this project is just the latest example of that,” said Katrine Conroy, MLA for Kootenay West. “By partnering with Habit for Humanity Southeast BC, our government is helping to provide affordable housing for people in their home community, while preserving the land for future generations.”
Neil Coburn, Volunteer Chair for Habitat Southeast BC is incredibly proud of this project: “This remarkable building will be a legacy for the city of Castlegar. Many thanks to the community support and commitment from our supporters and members who believe in the mission of Habitat for Humanity.”
Continues Coburn, “Not only will four families now live in safe and secure housing, but this build project is also a first of its kind for Habitat for Humanity in all of BC. It has achieved the highest environmental efficiency rating available for a residential building – Step Code 5. The limited environmental footprint and the subsequent savings in utility costs that our families will receive is another great benefit to this unique build.”
When the construction of the multi-family build project began in April of 2022, the search for partner families began immediately. Elaine Pura, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Southeast BC said: “There is a clear need for affordable housing for families here in the Kootenays. Finding partner families who were in need of safe and secure housing is a high priority for us. We are pleased that we have identified and selected families who we feel will thrive as partners and become involved community members, contributing to building a strong community here in Castlegar.”
Coburn added: “Selected Habitat families are not given the home. They buy it at market value.”
Habitat homeowners must satisfy several criteria: have the ability to pay an income-appropriate monthly mortgage, be in need of decent, affordable housing, and be willing to partner with Habitat. As part of that partnership, the family must also volunteer a total of 500 hours toward helping – either with the build or as a volunteer within the community for other worthwhile organizations.
Habitat for Humanity believes that access to affordable housing is a basic human right, that should be available to all. Habitat Southeast BC is committed to helping families forge a path out of poverty and into safe and secure housing they can call their own.
This project has been funded by many national, provincial, and local donors. In particular Our Funding Partners:
The City of Castlegar through the donation of land.
The Columbia Basin Trust with a contribution of $150,000.
Through the National Housing Strategy, the Government of Canada has invested $256,000 into this build project in Castlegar, bringing Habitat for Humanity one step closer to creating 414 new affordable homes across Canada.
BC Housing also contributed $200,000 toward the project.
About Habitat for Humanity Southeast BC
Habitat for Humanity Southeast BC is a Canadian registered charity and an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity Canada and Habitat for Humanity International. Our mission is to bring communities together to help families build strength, stability, and independence through affordable homeownership. We build affordable housing for ownership and provide mortgage and homeownership support, serving the Boundary and Kootenay regions of British Columbia. Habitat Southeast BC operates two ReStores in Castlegar and Grand Forks.
Since 1999, Habitat Southeast BC has built 21 homes in our region and partnered with more than 25 families. Although local Habitats in each region of Canada seek to build homes for local families, each one goes about this mission in a way that suits their community(ies). Here at Habitat for Humanity Southeast BC, we have prioritized:
- Increasing the number of families we provide safe, affordable housing to through homeownership.
- Building our capability and capacity to realize our vision and mission.
- Expanding our impact across the Southeast BC region.
Habitat is currently looking for organizations, businesses, and individuals to partner in support of our work in the community. Community members can also support the project by donating funds or salable items or by shopping at one of our Habitat ReStores. For more info on Habitat for Humanity Southeast BC please visit www.hfhsebc.org.
