Building Strength, Stability and Self-Reliance for Local Families: Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa Celebrates Completion of Phase I of Jeanne d'Arc 16-home development

OTTAWA, June 14, 2018 /CNW/ - Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa is thrilled to celebrate the completion of four townhomes in Orleans at a Build Ceremony to be held at 2pm today. The dedication of these homes closes off Phase I of Leacross Landing, a 16-unit townhome development in the city's east end. Today also marked the ground breaking of Phase II, which is slated for completion in December 2018.

"This development marks a change in our organization from builders to developers" says Alexis Ashworth, CEO, Habitat GO. "We are planning to grow from building four units per year to eight per year in 2019. Doubling our capacity will be a true milestone for us, and we are relying heavily on our community volunteers, donors and sponsors to see this through. We're very thankful for all the community support we've received to date, and we're proud to welcome these families to their new homes."

"The City of Ottawa is proud to support Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa's housing efforts. These new East-end developments will help numerous families settle into a stable place and community they can call home. By working collaboratively with Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa, the City is increasing its affordable housing stock and investing in important programs and initiatives that will help us continue to provide access to safe and affordable housing for all our residents," says Jim Watson, Mayor, City of Ottawa.

In the words of our new homeowners:

"As a mother, owning a Habitat home is really a life changer for me and my son. We are going to build our life in a safe, comfortable, healthy home. The home will give us a sense of belonging and security and I am very thankful for that," says Annie, Habitat homeowner. "The Habitat GO community really is a community. It is a community of passionate individuals that work together to create better lives for others. I feel so fortunate that I got to meet so many wonderful people throughout this entire process."

"We want to ensure a better environment that is healthy and safe for our children," says Abdellatif.  "This is only possible thanks to Habitat GO and to all those who are helping make this dream a reality."

"Being a single mother is not easy, but finally all of my hard work has paid off," says Tereza. "Now we will have a home to create memories in and a place my children can look back in 20 years and say, 'That's the home we grew up in.'"

"I want to make a better life for my family," says Hadi. "This new home will be better for my family and encourage my kids to look forward to a better life."

Full family profiles and photos are available at www.habitatgo.com.

Habitat GO could not build without the support of the community, volunteers and sponsors. Thank you to the Leacross Foundation, City of Ottawa, Law Build and Lockheed Martin for their generous sponsorship of this development. 

Media are welcome to attend the event at 6208 Jeanne d'Arc Blvd. in Orleans from 2pm-3pm.

Habitat GO is currently accepting family applications for Phase III and will be hosting an Open House for prospective home buyers on June 16^th from 2-4pm. More information is available at www.habitatgo.com.

About us: Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa (Habitat GO) has been building strength, stability and self-reliance in our community since 1993. To date, we have served 72 families in the Greater Ottawa area. The Habitat model is simple: we work with community sponsors and volunteers to construct affordable, decent homes for families who otherwise could not obtain a conventional mortgage. Future homeowners partner with Habitat GO and commit to 500 volunteer hours constructing their home and assisting with Habitat GO initiatives. They then pay an affordable, geared-to-income mortgage. Habitat GO gives families the opportunity to achieve the dream of affordable homeownership and acts as a hand-up, not a hand-out.

According to a 2013 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) survey, Habitat for Humanity families are happier, healthier, and more financially secure after moving into their Habitat Home. 89% say their family life has improved, 86% report being happier, 70% report improved health and stress, and 65% report a an improvement in their children's confidence.  The study found that for every 1$ invested in a Habitat home, 4$ in social benefits are returned to the community.

SOURCE Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa

or to arrange an interview please contact: Vanessa Schwarz, Director of Operations and Communications, Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa, 613-749-9950