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Habitat makes dreams come true for three families
Wednesday May 14 2008 By Lisa Tallyn, Staff Writer Three families’ dreams for homes of their own will come true in a just a few months when they move into houses built by Habitat for Humanity Halton on John St.
Ground was broken Friday on the properties where, over the summer, three raised bungalows will be built simultaneously— one for Bonita Smith, Chris Kearsey and their three children Nicholas, Alexander and Brianna, another for Renee Herman and her children Kyle, Josh and Cody and the other home for Millicent Walala and her children Austin and Donna.
The three families couldn’t be happier.
“We will finally have a backyard for the kids to play in,” said Bonita Smith, a stay-at home mom. “It’s in the perfect area. Our kids don’t have to change schools.”
The Kearsey/Smith family is from Georgetown and lives in an apartment in the area. Chris works at a local warehouse and the single income family of five spends a high percentage of its income on rent, meaning there is not always money left over for healthy food, new clothes or to pay unexpected bills.
Brampton resident Renee Herman, who works as a GO Transit bus driver, had been on a waiting list for some time for Brampton’s Habitat for Humanity and was thrilled to get a call from the Halton organization.
“It’s amazing. We have been living in basement apartments. Where I live right now is always flooding and it’s cold,” said Herman.
Burlington resident Millicent Walala, a nurse, and her two children are excited to be getting a home of their own.
“I’m really happy. It’s a dream come true,” said Walala, who came to Canada after her husband’s death, in the hope of creating a better life for her family.
Her two children stayed with family in Kenya while she enrolled in school here, graduated, found a job and eventually saved enough money to bring them to Canada.
Both children are looking forward to the move, and 11-year-old Donna looks forward to meeting new people in Georgetown.
The families all contribute hundreds of hours of sweat equity to the construction of their home and repay a long-term no-interest mortgage.
Several politicians, sponsors and Habitat volunteers and staff were on hand on John St. for the Ground Breaking ceremony.
Katherine Delutis, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Halton said it’s hoped the families will be in their homes in September.
She said the organization’s mandate is to consider potential partner families who live in Halton Region, but due to the proximity of Brampton which hadn’t had a Habitat build for a couple of years, it was decided to open up the opportunity to that community.
Delutis said they did an 18-month search in Georgetown for partner families and didn’t have nearly as many applicants as was hoped for.
She said a problem they found was that many potential families didn’t understand the program.
“It’s a hand up, not a hand out. Partner families are purchasing homes at zero per cent down, zero per cent interest. People think we’re giving away homes.”
She stressed they know the need is here in Halton Hills for Habitat homes based on research done by Halton Region and the Province of Ontario.
She believes pride might be another factor keeping potential partner families from applying, because Georgetown is a smaller town and many people know each other here. Some may not want others to know they are Habitat partners.
The three homes on John St. will be the eighth, ninth and tenth homes built by Habitat in Halton. Two homes were previously built in Halton Hills- one in Acton and the other in Georgetown.
Delutis said the HHH has a great relationship with the Town of Halton Hills.
The John St. properties were purchased from the Town, which made the organization aware of the properties.
‘It’s a great partnership, a great match,” said Delutis, adding the organization can’t compete with developers for property.
Teams of volunteers, sponsors and donors are getting ready to roll up their sleeves together over the next few months with the Georgetown build.
“This is Habitat for Humanity Halton’s biggest build since its inception in 1999. Staff and volunteers have spent months in preparation for this build from land acquisition to design of the homes; securing donations; scheduling the build and volunteers to name a few. We look forward to a successful build where these three families will have a safe, decent and affordable place to call home,” said Delutis.
She said Habitat is not short of volunteers for the Georgetown build, but they never turn anyone away.
They are in need, however, of crew leaders- people who have building skills.
Materials and cash are also needed for the build.
Delutis said the goal is to raise $20,000 cash and $65,000 in materials for each home.
So far, about 65 per cent of that goal has been achieved on each home.
Anyone interested in volunteering, becoming a sponsor, making a donation, or becoming a partner family should call the office at 1-866-314-4344.
Cheques for Habitat for Humanity Halton can be sent to 1800 Appleby Line, Unit 10, Burlington, ON, L7L 6A1. The website is www.habitathalton.ca.

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