Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia unveiled two new homes today on Drysdale Road in Spryfield to two very excited Partner Families. The two single mothers – Jackie Nowe and Thomasina Martin – were presented with keys to their affordable homes as volunteers, sponsors and supporters looked on.Among the generous supporters of this Habitat home was the Province of Nova Scotia through Housing Nova Scotia, which provides Habitat Nova Scotia a grant per home built in the province. On hand to help celebrate the event was MLA Brendan Maguire who had the honour of presenting the keys to the families as they entered their completed homes for the first time
The construction of the Habitat duplex in Spryfield are the 60th and 61st homes built in Nova Scotia, and would not have been possible without the support and generosity of sponsors, volunteers, suppliers, and partners who all contributed to the successful build throughout 2017.
“Through homeownership, we empower,” said Kevin Riles, Chair of the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia. “A decent place to live and an affordable mortgage help homeowners save more, invest in education, pursue new opportunities and have more financial stability. Our program helps Habitat Partner Families help themselves. They build their own homes alongside volunteers, creating a strong foundation for their families and their future. Strong, stable homes, build strong, stable communities.”
Families for Habitat for Humanity homes are selected on the basis of need, their ability to repay a no-down-payment, no-interest mortgage, and their commitment to volunteer 500 hours of sweat equity toward their home and community. This is not a hand out, but a hand up.
“Being part of this amazing partnership with Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia has been a life changing experience.” said Jackie Nowe, a single mother to her four year old son. “Because of everyone’s hard work I will be able to provide my son a safe and healthy home, something I have always wanted for him.”
The best part about getting this new home is that it will be our home
For Thomasina Martin, a single mother to her 15 year old son, owning this home is a dream come true. “The best part about getting this new home is that it will be our home,” said Thomasina. “It will be a place where we can comfortably grow together as a family over the years and build new memories with friends and family. I would like to extend our many thanks to everyone from Habitat and all of the volunteers who put their hard work, time and love into making this home a reality.”
“Habitat Nova Scotia is so pleased to help give two more Nova Scotia families the opportunity to have a safe place to call home, and we have an aggressive goal of helping many more,” said Riles. “This is the beginning of a much bigger project for us – we plan to build a 95-home community behind the current Habitat homes on Drysdale Road in Spryfield called Habitat Way. There are a lot more families that need a hand up to safe, healthy, affordable homes.”
Habitat Nova Scotia is awaiting approval from the Municipality to begin the Habitat Way development.
