BUILDERS GIVING BACK
It is often said that the homelessness problem in any given city, Ottawa included, is much worse than it appears. It's not just the stereotypical "homeless" we see lying on sidewalks in the downtown core who are under-sheltered.
In reality, for each of these poor souls on park benches, there are several times as many people who are living with family, or in shelters, or even in crowded rental units, and often with multiple children and little money for other necessities like food and clothing.
These are the somewhat more invisible "homeless" of our cities, and the ones that charities like Habitat for Humanity seek to help. And since homebuilders house people for a living, by definition, it is always refreshing to see builders step up to the plate and partner with Habitat to give back.
That's what Ottawa builder Urbandale was doing this week, as they prepared to break ground on one of the local HFH chapter's two home projects for this year.
The two projects will house two families in need of help, in side-by-side homes in Orleans. One home has been sponsored by The Home Depot Canada, and the other by Urbandale.
The Urbandale home will house Angela Durant and her two sons Sherwin and Sheldon (pictured at left.) It will be built to the stringent R-2000 Environmental standard, which is a first for the National Capital Region Habitat chapter.
Orleans (Otawa East) city councillor Bob Monette spoke at the ground-breaking ceremony earlier this week and encouraged the Durants to be hopeful for their future in the new home.
"You'll notice the community you're moving into is a beautiful one," he said. "It's very safe and you'll feel very welcome here."
Indeed, as Platinum Sponsors, Urbandale has made a significant impact upon the future of this family, donating $75,000 towards the construction of their new family home. The builder has made this donation as part of its 50th Anniversary celebrations.
As with all Habitat projects, the home, when finished, will be sold to the Durants on an interest-free mortgage that will be paid back in full. The family has also already begun the 500 hours of "sweat equity" required of participants in the program, helping out at fundraising BBQs, delivering flyers and the like.
Despite this generous donation from Urbandale, Habitat is still always in need of volunteers to help make their projects a reality. If you would like to participate in this build, either by doing a skilled trade, committee person or coordinator, they would love to hear from you. You can reach the Ottawa office at 613 749 9950 or via email here.
If you don't live Ottawa, but would like to help this great hand-up-instead-of-out charity, you can find a chapter near you on their Canadian site here, or their American one here.
Kudos to Urbandale for giving back to the community in such an apropos way.
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