Affordable Home is One of Two Available Through Unique Buy-Back Opportunity
Gravenhurst, On – Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North (HFHOGN) has announced the selection of its newest homeowner in Gravenhurst, Ontario. This affordable home previously belonged to another Habitat Partner Family who has since graduated from the HFHOGN program.
Stephanie, a dedicated mother, and her four children – Anthony (19), Austin and Aaron (twins, 17), and Alexis (11) – have been living in less-than-ideal conditions, sharing the unfinished basement of her mother’s house. With Stephanie’s aunt and grandmother also occupying the home, they were experiencing severe overcrowding.
“My mother, my aunt, and my grandmother live upstairs,” shares Stephanie. “The only space for the five of us was in the unfinished basement, and it’s only half a basement because the other half is a crawlspace.”
When speaking about the implications of their living situation, Stephanie explains, “We all share one open space with a bathroom. I’ve been sharing a bed with my daughter for three years. My oldest son had to make a makeshift wall using old cabinets and shelves so he could have some privacy and be able to sleep before going to work in the mornings.”
“We share one single light,” Stephanie says, highlighting the urgent need for stable and adequate housing for this family.
The previous family’s dedication to developing stability and self-reliance through the Habitat for Humanity program allowed them to build enough equity during their time in affordable housing to purchase a business in another community. Their success showcases an inspiring cycle of empowerment and self-sufficiency.
“The unique opportunity to repurchase two previously built Habitat homes will allow us to serve two additional families in a short amount of time,” says HFHOGN CEO Kimberley Woodcock. “These affordable homes became available to us because the original partner families were both able to leverage the stability and equity of their Habitat homes to move through the housing continuum and into the market rental and homeownership position.”
Occupation of the second repurchased home in Bracebridge is scheduled for late 2023.
About Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North
Amalgamated in 2014, Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North is a not-for-profit organization working toward a world where everyone has a safe, suitable, and affordable place to call home. Habitat for Humanity brings communities together to help families build strength, stability, and independence through affordable housing. With the help of government organizations, charitable foundations, local businesses, individual community members, volunteers, and other Habitat partners, we provide a solid foundation for better, healthier lives in our service area, in Canada, and around the world. Our region serves communities across central and northern Ontario, including North Simcoe County, Muskoka, Parry Sound, Nipissing, Greater Sudbury, and Cochrane. Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity Canada, which was established in 1985. To date, across Canada, Habitat for Humanity has helped thousands of families in need of a hand-up. Across the globe, Habitat for Humanity has grown to become a leading global not-for-profit working in more than 70 countries. For more information, visit www.habitatgatewaynorth.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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For more information:
Brittany Parisé
Communication and Events Coordinator
Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North
(705) 644-9109
bparise@habitatgatewaynorth.com