Fifteen New Affordable Homes Coming to North Grenville
Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa and Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands Partner with the
Municipality of North Grenville to Build First Stacked Townhome Project of its Kind in the Area
NORTH GRENVILLE, ON – August 5, 2021 – One of the first stacked townhome projects of its kind in North
Grenville, this development will provide a solid foundation for homebuyers in the community. Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa and Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands are pleased to be partnering to build 15 new affordable stacked townhomes for families on land generously donated by the Municipality of North Grenville. The build will be completed over the next three years and will be home to working families and their children.
With the recent changes in the housing market, and with the rising cost of land and other increases associated with a housing boom, Habitat’s Affordable Homeownership Program provides the best possible opportunity for families to continue to access homeownership.
“This development will provide a very accessible pathway to homeownership for vulnerable families,” says Mayor Nancy Peckford, “The Municipality of North Grenville is extremely pleased to partner with Habitat for Humanity for the provision of land at the Kemptville Campus on which 15 new homes will be built to address the affordable housing shortage our community is facing.”
For all families, having a safe, stable, and affordable roof over their heads plays a critical role in helping to build a foundation for a life with better choices and more opportunities. Owning a home in a good neighbourhood provides the kind of strength and stability every family deserves. Yet the continued rise in rental prices has created challenges for working families struggling to find affordable and appropriate stable long-term housing that meets their needs.
“It is clear that owning a home is still one of the best ways to improve the well-being of families,” says Gavin Liddy, Chair of Habitat Greater Ottawa, “This build project will increase opportunities to make homeownership more affordable, more equitable and more accessible for local families in a housing market that is only seeing growing demand.”
Habitat’s model of affordable homeownership bridges a gap for families who may face barriers to market homeownership such as in qualifying for a traditional bank mortgage. Habitat’s program allows families to purchase their own home at fair market value with no down payment, eliminating one of the biggest financial barriers to owning a home, and offers families an affordable monthly mortgage geared to their income.
The benefits of owning a long-term stable Habitat home are many. They include reduced reliance on social housing and food banks, better educational, financial and employment outcomes and improved health and overall wellbeing for families. All Habitat homeowners go through a rigorous application process to determine their level of housing need, their ability to pay an affordable monthly mortgage, and their willingness to partner, which includes completing 500 hours of community volunteering before they move into their home.
“The impact of community volunteering is at the heart of all Habitat build projects, and this partnership provides an excellent opportunity to serve more families in the area with much needed affordable housing while building those community connections,” shares Pam Little, Chair of Habitat Thousand Islands.
It takes a community to build a home, and the Habitat build site is a collaborative space that welcomes our sponsors, donors, community members and volunteers to help build our homes. As this new project gets started, Habitat will offer many opportunities for community members to come together to support the build, such as with on-site build days, local fundraising events, Groundbreaking and Key Ceremonies to celebrate the official launch of the build and when the families move it.
“We look forward to working with business and community leaders on this exciting initiative as we endeavour to ensure that North Grenville remains an inclusive and welcoming place for everyone,” emphasized Deputy Mayor Jim McManaman.
Applications for the North Grenville project are now open. Please visit: https://habitatgo.com/apply-now/ for more information, and to fill in our Pre-Qualification Questionnaire.
About the project:
Located on Concession Road across from the Kemptville District Hospital and near the Kemptville Area Family Resource Centre, local schools, Riverside Park and other amenities, the 15-unit North Grenville affordable housing development will comprise six conventional townhomes and six stacked townhomes above three accessible barrier-free units on the ground floor. Construction is slated to begin spring of 2022 with six homes to be completed in 2022 and nine homes ready in 2023. All homes are either 2-bedroom accessible homes or 3 or 4bedroom standard homes, and will include parking, and either a rear yard or balcony.
Hear from a few of our newest Habitat homeowners:
“Thanks to Habitat’s help my children will grow up in a positive environment and will have better chances in succeeding in life. I am forever grateful for this chance to work towards owning our very own home, because it has forever changed our lives.” – Osman, Habitat Homeowner
“This organization is allowing me to own a home that I thought I would never be able to provide for my family. My children finally have the space and security they deserve. Purchasing this home through Habitat for Humanity will provide my family with many opportunities for a better life.” – Rachid, Habitat Homeowner
“Thanks to Habitat, we now own a home and our family has stability. We are so grateful to build our own house and to be a part of a special organization that offers opportunities to people who need a helping hand.” – Scott, Habitat Homeowner
For more information, or to arrange an interview please contact:
Kristen Holinsky
Director of Operations and Communications Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa kholinsky@habitatgo.com
Taylor Mueller
Fundraising and Communications Officer Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa tmueller@habitatgo.com
Jill Sturdy
Corporate Media Relations Officer
Municipality of North Grenville
Jsturdy@northgrenville.on.ca
About Habitat for Humanity:
With the help of local Habitat families, donors, community partners and volunteers, Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa and Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands build affordable homes that provide a solid foundation for local families.
Habitat’s homeownership program offers more than just housing; it sets families up to be successful homeowners who are invested in their homes and in their community. A study by the Boston Consulting Group found that for every home Habitat builds, $175,000 of benefits is returned to the community. These benefits include reduced reliance on social housing and food banks, better educational, financial and employment outcomes and improved health and overall wellbeing for families.
By increasing the number of homes we build and in expanding where we provide Habitat builds, we can serve more families, and continue to play an integral role in providing much needed affordable housing. Habitat does not provide free homes — the families who partner with us invest directly in their homes equity and commit volunteer hours to our organization and to the local community.
Learn more at www.habitatgo.ca and www.habitat1000islands.org