Four houses in three days, Habitat for Humanity raising the roof
Building crews are framing four houses in three days for Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex.
Habitat officials say they made a commitment to house four more families in Ford City by Christmas. The Windsor Essex Home Builders Association (WEHBA) is lending a few hands.
“What you would have seen this morning, was basically holes in the ground,” says Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex executive director Fiona Coughlin. “And now by the end of this weekend, you’re going to see what looks like houses.”
Habitat for Humanity volunteers get started on building new homes in Ford City in Windsor, Ont. on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. (Chris Campbell/CTV Windsor)
About 40 volunteers are helping with the work.
“Getting dirty. Playing in the mud,” says president of the WEHBA Vince Lapico. “Doing what needs to be done for these houses to be done for these needy families.”
Lapico tells CTV News the COVID pandemic has impacted those struggling with housing much harder than any other sector.
Habitat for Humanity volunteers get started on building new homes in Ford City in Windsor, Ont. on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. (Chris Campbell/CTV Windsor)
“Lumber has been very volatile.” Lapico says supply and demand continue to keep material prices high. “There’s been a lot of ups and a lot of downs and backups again. COVID really put a damper on things, and then forest fires put a damper on things, and then a snow storm in Texas put a damper on things.”
The WEHBA presented a $1,200 golf-tournament donation to help support the builds.
“We are very grateful!” says Josaphat Rwamihigo, who will be moving into one of the homes along with his wife and five children. He says this will change their lives forever.
Habitat for Humanity volunteers get started on building new homes in Ford City in Windsor, Ont. on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. (Chris Campbell/CTV Windsor)
“Everyone needs a home right? Everyone needs a place they call home. And to have a place of your own, and your five kids! It’s so very, very important!”
Rwamihigo is volunteering at the construction site. Habitat for Humanity officials say they encourage future homeowners to help with the building process if they can, or volunteer at the Restore, or in some other capacity.
“One of the things that’s really important to us is that we work together,” says Coughlin. “We don’t build for, we build with. All of our partner families put in 500 hours of volunteer work either on their houses, in the restore or some other way that they can help.”
Habitat for Humanity volunteers get started on building new homes in Ford City in Windsor, Ont. on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. (Chris Campbell/CTV Windsor)
It will be a busy weekend for the local Habitat chapter.
More than 100 luxury designer items will be auctioned off online this weekend with proceeds going towards current and future Habitat builds.
Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex also celebrates 25 years in the community on Saturday.
Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex has built 67 homes the region since 1994, with a goal of having nine underway this year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
WATCH Expecting an interest rate cut in June? Don't bet on it after new jobs data
Canada's labour market rebounded in April, adding more than 90,000 jobs, a staggering number of new positions after four consecutive months of little change.
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.