Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia welcomes family back to Hammonds Plain home destroyed by 2023 wildfires
On January 29, Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia celebrated the family being able to return to their home of ten years.
Dartmouth, NS – Today marked a new chapter in the lives of Phil and Sue, residents of Hammonds Plains. After being displaced by the 2023 Upper Tantallon Wildfires for over a year and a half, the couple is finally able to return home, thanks to the help of Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia, United Way Halifax, the Canadian Red Cross and many donors and volunteers.
On the afternoon of January 29, Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia hosted a key ceremony to celebrate the completion of Phil and Sue’s home and officially hand over the keys to the couple. The day was an opportunity to recognize the many individuals and organizations who have made the home possible by donating and volunteering their time.
“Today marks an important milestone for Phil and Sue as they return to their new home after an unimaginable loss,” said Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia CEO Donna Williamson. “This project exemplifies the power of community, as countless individuals, organizations and volunteers came together to support them in their time of need. We are honoured to have played a role in helping them rebuild their lives, and we are deeply grateful to our partners, donors and volunteers for their generosity and commitment.”
Among those present at the ceremony were Williamson; Ancel Langille, Senior Manager, Emergency Management, Atlantic for the Canadian Red Cross; and many of the donors and volunteers who have contributed to the project.
“We’re deeply grateful to the neighbours near and far, the organizations and partners who donated, volunteered and offered support,” said Sue LaPierre, Senior Executive Director, Nova Scotia & Affordable Housing for United Way Maritimes. “Phil and Sue’s story is one example of the hope and resilience powered by uniting together in the face of disaster.”
Phil and Sue’s home was one of 151 destroyed in May 2023 in the Upper Tantallon Wildfire. Phil and Sue had lived in their home—a split-level in the Highland Park subdivision—for ten years. An issue with their oil tank had caused their home insurance company to deny coverage, leaving them without any financial recourse after the fire.
“We didn’t know what we were going to do next,” said Sue. “The help that we have received has been amazing. It has put us in a direction where we have something to look forward to.”
This project was Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia’s first disaster relief project and its first collaboration with the Canadian Red Cross and United Way Halifax.
Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia broke ground on the home on June 27, 2024. Among the many donors who contributed funds and services are The Stevens Family Foundation, the NSLC, the Shaw Group, GAF, P&P Roofing, Trinity Energy Group, Extreme Window & Entrance Systems, Matheson Windows & Doors, and Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd.
United Way Halifax contributed to the build through its Wildfire Recovery Appeal fund. Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia contributed $15,700, which it raised through a furniture donation drive at its ReStore in June 2023.
Through Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia’s homeownership program, Phil and Sue will contribute 500 hours of volunteer work in their community.
For more information on Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia’s Homeownership Program and how to support Habitat’s work, visit www.habitatns.ca.
Additional Resources:
Photos from the Key Ceremony, Volunteer Days and Groundbreaking: Google Drive Folder
Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia’s Website: https://habitatns.ca/