Habitat for Humanity presents four families with new homes

“Dedicating houses for families is what sort of roped me into Habitat (for Humanity). I got to do a dedication my first week of work and it is the most heartwarming moment. Families get keys, children get rooms of their own, and people can start moving their things in and making it an actual home.”

Year-round, Habitat for Humanity will advertise new homes that they are building through social services agencies, schools, daycares, and rec centres. From there, families are encouraged to apply for a home.

Families applying must have income between $35,000 and $69,000 a year, as well as have children, a full-time job and be a Canadian citizen or full-time Canadian resident.

Of those given the keys to their family’s new home was Donna Calliou. She says being able to have the opportunity to own a home has been a long time coming.

“It is I think a very powerful day today. It is an absolute dream come true. My current landlord, Grande Spirit, forwarded the email to me. I hesitated about applying because I always didn’t think it would come true, then I thought this year, I was determined.”

Calliou says she earned approval for her house just as the summer was starting.

She tells EverythingGP that she has been in the house several times and is excited to move in.

Calliou also gave a speech at the unveiling ceremony, mentioning that the house now gives her family the opportunity to own a pet. Her daughter Ava says that they are looking at getting a puppy to join them in the new house.

The homes completed on October 20 were four of eight current houses that are currently being built within the City of Grande Prairie. The other four houses are expected to be completed in December.

The houses that are being built are thanks to a donation of $980,000 from the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie.

Noyes says that the $980,000 is the largest single donation the Edmonton branch for Habitat for Humanity has ever received.

“Their generosity is unsurpassed and is so touching for the families that are receiving those homes. We were able to take that donation and leverage it with funding from the City of Grande Prairie and Government of Alberta and help through KCM (Construction) to help do eight homes, which is really significant for that size of donation.”

Tyla Savard, the President and CEO of the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie says they are happy to continue providing a positive impact in the community.

“Rotary is about connecting with community, being part of the community, and in turn creating opportunities to generate and support positive community impact. The Rotary Club of Grande Prairie is honoured to work with Habitat for Humanity and all the project partners to bring the dream for many families to have their own home to a reality.”

Noyes told EverythingGP that there are plans to build more housing in the area after the final homes are completed in December. She says fundraising has began to try and get those homes built in the Spring time.

Below are the three other families who received possession of the new houses Tuesday morning.

Photo Credit: Shane Clausing

by Shane Clausing

Habitat for Humanity presents four families with new homes

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