The first semi-detached homes constructed by Habitat for Humanity Cornwall & The Counties have been officially opened in Maxville. Two local families have purchased these new, affordable homes with an interest-free, geared-to-income mortgage held by Habitat Cornwall.
As rental and housing prices continue to rise across the country, working with key community stakeholders to offer the opportunity for affordable home ownership is more important than ever.
In the five years prior to COVID-19, Habitat for Humanity Cornwall & The Counties built three homes. Since 2020, the organization has built five homes with two more planned for 2024. As a direct response to the growing affordable housing crisis, Habitat has began building semi-detached homes to increase the number of families served. This is dependent on fundraising, local support, donations, zoning, and more. With a total of seven projected homes in a four-year span, Habitat Cornwall is effectively doubling its local impact. This is at a time when build related costs are still very high.
The building lot for Habitat Cornwall’s first semi-detached project was donated by the Township of North Glengarry. A wide variety of local businesses made financial and in-kind contributions to assist with the completion of the homes.
These donors all recognized the importance of stable, affordable housing for local families. The fact that funds raised locally and stay locally within this program, makes an even greater impact.
The Partner Families are purchasing these homes at fair market value; Habitat for Humanity offers them a mortgage that will never exceed 30 per cent of their income. The newest members of the Habitat family completed 500 hours of volunteer service with the organization which included a home owners education module, to get things off on the right foot. Habitat for Humanity homes aren’t a hand-out; they’re a hand up.
As housing prices continue to rise across the country, working within the community to offer affordable home ownerships is more important than ever.
Habitat Cornwall Board Chair, Hank Blasiak said, “I am proud to say these two families have met the requirements of Habitat for Humanity Cornwall & The Counties and have the opportunity to purchase these new affordable homes. Their dedication shows they are committed to their families and they have invested in homeownership. We wish them stability, strength, growth and years of cherished memories built on their dreams, their determination and their hard work.”
Habitat Cornwall is breaking ground on another semi-detached project, this time in Ingleside. The Ingleside project will mark the third and fourth homes under construction in 2024.
For more information, contact Leigh Taggart at 613-938-0413, ext.2002, leigh@habitatcornwall.org.
