THUNDER BAY - With the cost of materials and labour increasing, Habitat for Humanity is reaching out to the public to help raise money to cover the cost of its latest build for a local family of five.
“The cost of building this year is a little higher than planned because of the pandemic and certainly other issues with supplies and the demand in the community,” said Lana Vukelic, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Thunder Bay. “We are hoping people will recognize the good that we do and send us a few dollars so we can meet our budget.”
Construction on the 1,100 square-foot Heron Street home began in June 2022 for Emily Hokakin and Ryan Aho and their three daughters.
This year’s build costs just over $300,000 and with $200,000 already raised, Vukelic said she is hopeful the community will step up and donate the remaining $100,000 to help give the local family a home.
“We appreciate everything that we get and the businesses here see the value,” she said.
Non-profit organizations across the country have been struggling in recent years due to the pandemic, people saving more, and a higher cost of living.
But this has also made it more difficult for families in need to find affordable housing, Vukelic said, and Habitat has seen a significant increase in applications in recent years.
“The cost of housing and how it’s just skyrocketed, it’s become very hard to get a home because the prices are so high,” she said. “But also the eligibility for traditional types of financing is very difficult. This is where Habitat becomes an entity to really make a difference in the lives of the family.”
Habitat homes are no interest and no down payment, but eligible families are required to commit to 500 hours of ‘sweat equity’ through volunteering. A common misconception is the homes are given away, but the families do pay a mortgage, which is reinvested into future builds.
“Our goal would be to build more than one a year,” Vukelic said. “It is a goal we are trying to materialize because there is so much demand.”
Vukelic hopes construction on the Heron Street home will not be interrupted and that the funds will be raised to complete the build by the end of October to allow the family to move in before winter.
Habitat was in a similar situation last year with its build on Leith Street that was short on money, but Vukelic said two anonymous donors came forward through the Community Foundation and provided the funding to finish construction.
Vukelic is confident the community will come through again to help cover the costs of this year’s build and provide a young family with a new home.
“We are helping a family stand up on their own two feet and be self-sufficient and create a new legacy for their family,” she said.
Donations can be made online at the Habitat for Humanity Thunder Bay website. A community BBQ will also be held on Thursday, Sept. 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Habitat Thunder Bay headquarters on Squire Street and will include a 50/50 draw.
