Parade of Homes

114 PARADE of HOMES FALL 2024 Habitat for Humanity Manitoba cont. Habitat Manitoba's biggest project this year — and ever — is its Pandora Avenue West project, where 11 five-plexes are being constructed. This means new ener- gy-efficient homes for 55 families — 275 people, including 175 chil- dren — with about a third of those expected to have moved in by the end of this year. While Habitat has traditionally built single-family homes, and still does in many rural communities or for families with accessibility needs, more families can be served by building multi- family dwellings, Hall says. In addition to building new homes to give low-income families a hand up, Habitat Manitoba is also committed to preserving the current housing stock. It recently launched the Critical Repair Program, which helps improve the quality of life for low-income seniors and other individuals in Winnipeg by repairing crucial, time-sensitive damage in their homes. The program supports homeowners who don't have the skills or financial means to fix issues to remain comfortably in their homes with pride and dignity. The Critical Repair Program as well as Habitat Manitoba's other current projects all require help from the community, and there are lots of ways to do that, says Hall, who became Habitat Manitoba's new CEO just over a year ago. Habitat Manitoba has 12 chapters across Manitoba, and current chap- ters with projects underway are Brandon, Virden and Selkirk. "I knew I wanted to serve fami- lies and connect with them, but a pleasant surprise has been just the amount of generosity in our province both from individuals and corporations," he says. "It's really heartwarming to see how many people give of their money, their time or their goods in order to help low-income families." Habitat Manitoba has multiple ways to support the organiza- tion and its projects. Some of the options include donating, volun- teering, joining its fundraising events or donating construction and home improvement building materials, as well as new and used appliances, furniture and other household goods to its Habitat ReStore, which sells the goods to help fund its operations — while also keeping goods out of landfills. Working at the ReStore is one of the ways Habitat families can earn their 500 "down payment" hours, along with putting in labour to help build their own homes alongside volun- teers. For others looking to help, Habitat Team Build Days are ideal for groups of 10 to 50 who would like to give back to the community in a meaningful way while learning new skills — and no construction experience or tools are required. "Our families are committed. They don't want a handout — they want to be part of a program that enables them to earn their own house," Hall says. "There's nothing like swinging a hammer next to a volunteer from a corporation that sent 20 people out to a build to reinforce the sense of community for that homeowner — and that they're not in this alone." PHOTO BY DARCY FINLEY Habitat Manitoba's biggest project ever is its Pandora Avenue West project.

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