Habitat for Humanity Vancouver Island North is seeking a Comox Valley family with accessibility needs to partner with them to become homeowners in the current build project at 1375 Piercy Avenue.
“There are so many obstacles for people with disabilities in our community. Habitat is so happy to be able to offer an opportunity for safe and secure housing in this new no-barrier multi-unit housing project,” said Habitat for Humanity family services director Corinne Bjorge.
“Our build team has worked hard to ensure there is complete accessibility around the lot. All the units are accessible by wheelchair, so it’s easy to not only get into your own home, but you’re also able to visit your friends and neighbours,” said Habitat construction manager Larry Poirier.
Angie and David Mackenzie are new Habitat homeowners scheduled to occupy the other accessible unit. For Angie and her family, applying for a Habitat home wasn’t an obvious decision.
“My mom had encouraged us to apply, but we didn’t think we would qualify. Things weren’t bad enough - we were making ends meet,” she said.
But after taking a hard look at their current housing situation they decided to attend a Habitat information meeting to see if they could even just get some housing resources. They walked away from the meeting with some optimism. Angie remembers them saying: “Let’s just try it. If it works, it works.”
Angie and David’s decision paid off. They faced a lot of challenges and sacrifices, but they will be moving into their new home this August.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has provided funding to the project to help offset the increased construction costs associated with accessible housing. For families with accessibility needs, finding a home, or adapting a home to meet their needs can be an insurmountable problem.
Habitat has been operating in the Comox Valley since 2004, partnering with local working families with children. Many of the families have struggled with unaffordable rent or poor housing conditions. Families who partner with Habitat must have a regular income, have been at their job for a minimum of six months and have the ability to pay an affordable mortgage.
Families who apply and are accepted to become Habitat homeowners purchase their home through a mortgage set at 30 per cent of their annual income. Future homeowners must also contribute at least 500 hours of volunteer work, which can include time on the build site and in Habitat’s ReStore.
“I am so impressed with the families that have accepted partnership with Habitat, said Bjorge. “These are people that are giving back to the community with their volunteer work, and that are working hard to make things safer and more secure for their families.”
Bjorge wanted to thank all the sponsors and volunteers and community members that continue to support Habitat’s work. “Every time someone donates, or volunteers with us, or shops at the ReStore, they help expand our ability to help more families,” she said.
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