WELCOME HOME

There are very few things more exciting than moving into a new home, especially when you haven’t had a safe or healthy place to call home in a long time.

June started out with our super bowl event for everyone at Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver, as we presented 11 partner families with the keys to their new safe and stable havens.

Against a backdrop of anticipation, sunny skies, and a whole lot of smiles, we welcomed four families into their homes in Richmond and seven into their homes in Mission. This is the pinnacle of our work and why we do what we do.

Sadly due to pandemic protocols, our Key Dedication ceremonies looked vastly different in 2021 than in the past. The nature of a live, yet virtual broadcast had it’s challenges as staff were secretly praying that internet connections wouldn’t be interrupted, and batteries would remain charged. Green x’s marked the spot our families could stand on and be safely socially distanced in their family bubble. Masks only partially hid the joy and excitement, for it could be seen in everyone’s eyes, and in the children’s dancing antics, especially in Richmond, where several children were under the age of five.

Richmond

After five years, our 12-home project in Richmond is now complete and houses families in their own little community. These two-unit homes back against one another with a play area and community garden in between. This will be the start of something special for all as they meet their neighbours, and the children connect with others their own age in a safe and caring environment.

After our CEO, Dennis Coutts presented the families with their keys and the ribbon was cut, each family waited anxiously outside their door while messages from donors, government officials, volunteers and staff played to our online audience. Photos were snapped and video was shot, ensuring the moment was captured for the families to relive together later.

Reactions upon opening the doors were varied – there were squeals of delight, there were tears, and for some, there was silence. Awe…relief…and an overwhelming sense that their lives had changed in that very instant. Many just described it as a dream.

MLA Henry Yao, Richmond South Centre is pleased to see this project completed with provincial support. He firmly believes every British Columbian deserves a safe and affordable home. “The reality we are facing here is housing affordability has become so challenging that even the median income families are struggling with this.”

Citing the richness of its cultural diversity, MLA Yao said in a recent interview, “Richmond is a lovely place to call home, but its housing affordability has become difficult for many families. We want to welcome all the families coming in and making their home in Richmond.”

Tedros and his family are so grateful for the hand up that Habitat for Humanity provides and are relieved to finally be building some equity that will be able to one day help fund a larger home in the open market. Noorullah and Maryam are excited to plant a garden and lay down some roots.

While they come from different backgrounds and experiences, all our families agreed this is an opportunity to build a community, to start a new chapter, and a chance to build a better foundation for themselves and their children.

Mission

As our families began arriving onsite in Mission to prepare for the day, you could hear the hum of exuberant chatter as neighbours began getting to know one another. The tweens and teens quickly figured out who they would be attending school with in the Fall, hopefully secure in the knowledge they wouldn’t be the only “new kids”. While the cameras rolled, keys were handed out, the ribbon was cut, and all the families huddled outside their doors, anxious to take the first peek.

We broke ground on the first of eight three-bedroom townhomes in Mission in February 2020. Despite the pandemic and a seven-week shut down of our build site, our Site Supervisor Jason de Vries, kept us on track, enabling these families to move in to enjoy the summer of 2021.

Once selected for a Habitat home, our families become partners. As part of their partnership, they are required to do 500 hours of sweat equity. These hours can be earned on the build site, in our ReStores, or helping with special events (when we are able again). Five hundred hours may seem like a lot, but it can add up quickly. Family Partners can have their extended family and friends earn volunteer hours on their behalf. While parents are volunteering, whoever is child-minding is also earning hours to reach the total. We have even had other volunteers come onsite and donate their hours to a partner family.

On average, families earn their sweat equity hours in 12 months.

While some families in Mission have long completed their 500 hours (and continue to volunteer!), others will have the opportunity to literally roll out their door and onto the site to fulfill their hours, as Jason and his trades and army of volunteers will be working on the next 11 homes.

Paying it forward is a big part of the Habitat model, and Naomi, one of our partner families, is right on track. “I am so happy to be a part of Habitat and look forward to helping more families like mine in the future,” she said after spending a day working on the build site.

Naomi and her daughter were thrilled to finally be receiving the keys to their home. But the emotion of the day can be really overwhelming. Her young son loves going to school and chose school over the ceremony. We get it. Life has not been easy for these families, but a Habitat home represents freedom and security of living without crushing housing costs or the unthinkable choices of putting food on the table versus a roof over their heads. It represents hope and provides the ability to dare to chase their dreams.

Moving from Surrey, Tabatha has already secured a job in her new community, and her three daughters were overjoyed as they checked out their new home for the first time. Tabatha originally thought she would let two of her daughters share the master bedroom. But when she walked into it for the first time and saw the walk-in closet, everything changed. “It’s mine now,” she said with a laugh. As long as the girls get to use the closet for hide-and-seek, they say they are good with that plan.

Roman who is nearly 3, hid in the security of his father’s arms for most of the ceremony. But once he was let loose, it was a whole different Roman who spun in circles over and over in his new room. “It’s what he does when he is excited,” explained his father, Samuel.

Imagine what he will do when the playground gets installed on the property! The families didn’t realize it was in the plans. Even Rachel with her teenage children was excited, noting that she loves the sound of kids on a playground. Similar to Richmond, there will also be a community vegetable garden and benches. Michael, Yergalem, and their four children are optimistic about their future in Mission.

A community in the making, a support system of neighbours, and a safe and healthy place to call home. It’s what they have been waiting for since being told in March they had been selected by our hard-working Family Services Committee.

Fighting back tears, Nicole acknowledged the countless groups and people involved in making her dream a reality. While the families explored their homes, the warm welcome messages played online, waiting to be heard and appreciated by the families in a future private moment. We could have provided a full day of footage. Meaningful and heartfelt, these messages will become a treasured part of our families’ journey. Everyone plays a role in bringing us to this point, and it is a collective win to bring these families home.

Moving day brings so many emotions, and any uncertainty will quickly be transformed into optimism, hope, and a swelling confidence that much can be achieved and their family will flourish.

WELCOME HOME FAMILIES!!

To watch the key dedication ceremonies, go to:

Richmond, June 8th, Key Dedication Ceremony

Mission, June 11th, Key Dedication Ceremony

Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver is coming to Coquitlam as we look to break ground in 2021 on forty townhomes that will bring more affordable housing to the community. This will be the largest project that we have done to date and will require financial support from all levels of government and the greater community. Quantum Properties immediately committed to being a history-maker and are paving the way by donating a generous lead gift of $100,000 that will change the lives of dozens of hard-working local families.

“I’m passionate about helping to provide the stability that comes from housing families,” says Diane Delves, Founder and President of Quantum Properties. “We believe strongly in supporting the communities in which we build. As we enter the Coquitlam marketplace, we are excited to find that Habitat for Humanity, a well-respected charitable organization, is planning a new housing project in this area. The Quantum Properties Team looks forward to helping champion the Habitat for Humanity model of achieving homeownership. These projects are so important to the families that will live there and we are very proud to be involved. Our hope is that other companies and individuals will join us!”

Meeting a partner family

On a sunny April day, Diane Delves and Rob Delves of Quantum Properties presented Tabatha and her three girls, one of Habitat’s partner families, with a cheque to kick off the Capital Campaign to build Habitat homes in Coquitlam.

Tabatha and her children currently live in an over-crowded, two-bedroom basement suite. Her youngest child was born with a disability requiring the use of a wheelchair for which there is neither the space nor accessibility.

“Moving into a habitat home means so much to me and even more to my children. Currently we can’t even all sit in the living room together as it’s just too small to have more than one small couch in it. I share not only a room with my 3 year old but I have to share my bed as there isn’t enough space for her to have her own bed. “I look forward to the sense of community and for my children, to have others their age to play and grow with” says Tabatha.

Their current rental unit has constant plumbing problems including leaks and the overflowing of dirty water from the drains when the washing machine is used. Relocating to a Habitat home will transform their lives by providing a more suitable, safer and affordable home.

Steph Baker, VP of Construction at Habitat said,

“it is heartwarming and emotional to witness the unequivocal and generous support of Quantum Properties. This significant financial contribution and willingness to rally the community to join the cause of affordable housing is what Habitat is all about; community working together to lift up the vulnerable in their community. Without partners like Quantum Properties, we simply would not be able to provide safe and affordable housing that will impact the trajectory of hundreds of local families.”

The City of Coquitlam is eager to see a housing option that allows low to middle income families to get on the path towards eventual home ownership. Integrating our Habitat project into an established healthy neighbourhood, giving the families a chance to build equity, become self-reliant and financially stable, and providing them with life skills to have an independent future, creates that path to success. Collectively, we provide the Hand Up.

Join the Habitat community

There are many ways to support our local projects and our Habitat for Humanity Homecoming Campaign. For information visit www.habitatgv.ca/capitalcampaign or contact Carina Stirling, Community Engagement Manager at cstirling@habitatgv.ca or 236-888-1344.

To find out more about Quantum Properties, contact Lynn lynn@harrisonmarketing.ca or 604-837-5274

Like other retailers, spring 2020 saw our ReStores close for several weeks while distancing measures were initiated, and extra protocols were implemented. Fortunately, our online store continued to thrive and grow. However, we were thrilled when we were able to reopen our retail locations and welcome back our much-appreciated volunteers.

“Volunteers make a tremendous difference to us,” says Nadia Brigden, Senior Manager for our Langley ReStore.

As an organization that relies heavily on volunteers, National Volunteer Week, April 18-24 is especially poignant for the team at Habitat Greater Vancouver, as we recognize and appreciate the impact the last year has had on our volunteers. While many chose to return to our stores and build sites, some have not. Nadia understands people’s reluctance to volunteer now, acknowledging that “everyone has to do what is right for them, especially during these uncertain times.”

Andrew has been volunteering with Habitat GV for almost two years. He happened upon the Langley ReStore and thought it looked kind of interesting, and soon found himself volunteering and working on furniture assembly. He liked the challenge of it and laughs when he says that sometimes the donated items had “incomplete instructions, so we were winging it.”

With a background in photography, Andrew’s skills were soon put to work taking photos of items in the store and preparing them to be featured through the online store. He does this one day per week and is pleased to find ways to volunteer within his own community. He also volunteers with another organization visiting lonely seniors. He enjoys helping and appreciates the structure volunteering provides to his week. Andrew also carries the value of a “hand up” with a strong desire to contribute to other peoples’ success.

In a nod to today’s celebration of Earth Day, Andrew believes strongly in circular economy and says we should be “good stewards of the planet, all of the time.”

Nadia echoes that sentiment and says, “for me, Earth Day is every day, and we work really hard to always be aware of what we are throwing away and how we are doing it. The Langley store recently went four months without a garbage bin pickup, which is unheard of.”

Each of our store managers works hard to make everyone comfortable in the workplace. “It’s important that they (staff and volunteers) feel respected and that they feel safe. It’s having those conversations with them,” says Angela Jelicic, Manager at North Vancouver ReStore.

She is passionate about the experience for the volunteers. Recognizing that 2020 has taken a significant emotional toll, Angela notes that managers have provided gift cards for lunches, or on a busy or rainy day someone will do a Tim Horton’s fun for everyone as a perk – kind of a pick-me-up and recognition of their value.

Nora Batchelor’s first introduction to Habitat for Humanity was through three Global Village trips she did in 2019 – twice to Nepal and once to Indonesia. Her plan was to do more trips in 2020, but then COVID hit. She loved the Habitat organization so much so thought she would try building at our Richmond site. The homes were then at the framing stage, and after three or four shifts of hammering, Nora decided she might be better suited to volunteering at the ReStore.

She started at the Langley store where she was impressed with the quality of the products they sold. “It’s so drool worthy,” she said when describing the store.

Her volunteering there ended as the store closed with the pandemic. She moved during that time and now found herself closer to the North Vancouver store. Once things opened up, one of the friends she made on the Nepal build was volunteering in North Vancouver and encouraged her to give it a go. She regularly puts in two days per week, often six hour shifts and is confident about the protocols in place.

“I feel very safe, and it gets me out,” she says about her volunteering. “It makes me feel good that I’m doing something that gives back. I just think it’s such a cool organization in general.”

As with many of our volunteers, Nora has a great deal of experience in volunteerism, having learned from her mother. Sewing is her hobby, and she has been sewing masks for the Tailgate Project, and previously sewed caps for hospital staff. But meeting the Partner Families who move into our homes has been most impactful for her. Working alongside them in the ReStore and hearing their stories has made quite an impression on Nora. By meeting them, “you know what your work at the ReStore is going toward,” she says.

Angela heartily agrees. “Having Partner Families join us volunteering in the ReStores is invaluable. It brings that to the forefront of why we’re here – just cements it.”

Angela suggests that what sets ReStore apart as a volunteer opportunity is that they offer training for different skills and know the importance of allowing volunteers to put forward their suggestions and input. “It is important that everyone feels valued, and the work feels valued,” she says.

Volunteering at ReStore has also been known to occasionally lead to becoming a paid staff member, as is the case for Marcus in North Vancouver. He first volunteered approximately three years ago to teach a corporate group how to build planter boxes. Angela was struck by his kindness and patience and offered him a position as a summer student. Marcus cannot speak, but communicates by phone, and now has experience in all aspects of the store.

“He can run this store by himself,” says Angela proudly. She considers him a great adviser, especially when it comes to computer repair. One never can tell the path that volunteering will take them on.

Jim has been volunteering with Habitat for Humanity in the US and Canada for four years. With COVID and the inability to travel, Jim has been helping at our Enterprise Street store in Burnaby and feels rewarded by giving back in his local community. He enjoys building and appreciates the camaraderie of working with the Habitat team. In his words, “It’s a great organization to be associated with and I feel that I’m contributing to my belief in safe and reasonable housing and community structure.”

We are so grateful to benefit from the dedication of Jim and all our other volunteers, and we appreciate them all! Each volunteer has their own special story, but what is wildly apparent, is that they all possess similar traits:

All our volunteers are selfless, loyal, fascinating, and AMAZING!

THANK YOU for serving your community and serving families – during National Volunteer Week, on Earth Day, and ALWAYS!!!

While the tap of the hammer and the buzz of the drill may have been stopped for two months in the spring of 2020, COVID has done little to dampen the spirits and amazing contributions of a crew of dedicated volunteers on our two build sites.

With strict COVID protocols in place, work on our Richmond and Mission build sites resumed in May 2020 and has been full speed ahead, to the point where we will be welcoming families into their homes this summer. We simply could not have accomplished this without the unwavering commitment from our volunteers.

April 18-24 is National Volunteer Week, and we are pleased to honour the many volunteers who have contributed to our success over the years and continue to do so. Several businesses brought their teams and we’ve had scores of individuals offering their time and energy. They all truly embody this year’s theme, The Value of One, the Power of Many: The power of one person to give their time and energy to build homes. The power of many working together to fulfill dreams for multiple families.

When Rick Janssen retired over five years ago, he wanted to put his construction experience to use. Habitat Greater Vancouver wasn’t building at the time, so he started volunteering in the ReStore, “biding time until the build”. He has now been at the Habitat build site in Richmond one or two days per week since the project began in 2015. Rick loves the outdoors, the camaraderie, and the exercise that volunteering with Habitat provides him. Since he began, he has logged almost 1500 hours.

An avid cyclist who has cycled across Canada, from the Lower Mainland to Alaska, and the length of Route 66, Rick has been known to cycle from his home in New Westminster to the build site in Richmond. He puts in a full day of labour and then gets back on his bike to get home again. He recently celebrated 70 years around the sun, is a cancer survivor and a tireless volunteer. For the last four years he has been driving cancer patients to their appointments with the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society, and he also began delivering food hampers to families during the COVID crisis.

For Rick, the rewards come from working alongside partner families and knowing “it’s the right thing to do; I like seeing people getting homes that are decent and affordable. My parents instilled it (volunteering) in us, and I am trying to do the same with my kids.”

He has had the pleasure of working alongside his sons on build days, so it seems like his plan to pass on those values is working.

According to Habitat GV’s Volunteer Coordinator, Joanne Perreault, we have many active volunteers of varying ages and all walks of life. Some are retired, some working full or part time along with students who can offer a few hours whenever it works with their schedule.

“We depend a great deal upon our volunteers,” says Joanne, noting that many have been with us for years. “They are the core of Habitat for Humanity and, without them, our work would not be possible.”

“It’s all about the people,” she added. “The connections they make along the way and the opportunity to help our community at the same time. Many say it’s gratifying for them.”

Another of our dedicated volunteers is Audrey Sabiston, who was looking for a meaningful way to spend her time after retiring. She loved the idea of Habitat “where I could help other families and learn new skills at the same time.” She had already done lots of home renovations and woodworking projects so knew her way around the tools, but she also knew there was lots more she could learn onsite.

COVID has not deterred her from showing up and volunteering twice per week on the Richmond site. She said with volunteer numbers limited and working a lot outdoors, she hasn’t had any concerns. In addition to new skills, Audrey says she has made some good friends along the way. She loves seeing the families who have already moved into the first five homes and hearing how their lives have changed so dramatically. “That, to me, is the most rewarding,” she says.

As a believer in hard work, Audrey explains, “I love Habitat for Humanity’s philosophy of a hand up, not a hand out. You’ve got to work hard for the things you want.”

Habitat’s model requires that those who are receiving a home must put in 500 hours of sweat equity. It could be in the ReStores or on the build site and they may even participate in building their own home.

Why does she volunteer? “It depends on your outlook on life,” according to Audrey. “For me, it’s all about staying young and staying active.”

With approximately 500 hours under her tool belt, Audrey is leading by example. Once building wraps up in Richmond, she is keen to help in Mission.

Jason DeVries, Site Supervisor for both Richmond and Mission is thrilled with the support we receive from volunteers and enjoys teaching them new tasks and then seeing them go and do it on their own. He is impressed that despite COVID, volunteers have continued to help and their dedication and hard work has helped ensure we can get 14 families into their new homes this July!

“Having volunteers helps me out each day getting some of the little tasks done,” says Jason. With 11 more units in Mission just beginning, he said there is room for more volunteers. COVID protocols dictate that they are more spread out throughout the units, but “there is sill the same amount of work to be done.”

We were already well into the pandemic when Tom Jereb started volunteering at our Mission build site. He literally showed up one day during one of our corporate build days and has been a fixture on the site ever since, already putting in over 500 hours. With numerous home renovations and new constructions for himself, family and friends and 35 years as an electrical technologist, Tom arrived with plenty of experience and specific skills.

Tom has enjoyed meeting other volunteers, especially some of the partner families who have been working on their own homes. He has worked alongside Rachel, one of our partner families and says, ”It makes me glad to donate some of my time to help her fulfill her obligation of 500 hours. It’s been really great to get to know her…and I have been able to teach her son quite a bit.”

While he has been coming to the site every day, Tom says he will “slow down” over the summer to twice per week, but he intends to be back to five days in the fall.

“Because of my interest in home renovations, I figured I would be of some use to Habitat,” he says modestly.

The value of our volunteers is immeasurable and current events have underscored the importance of the need for safe, decent, and affordable housing. We extend endless gratitude to Rick, Audrey, Tom, and all our other volunteers for bringing positive change to the community and to the lives of our partner families. You ALL deserve much thanks and recognition.

HAPPY NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK!

On a whim, we sent an email to a few friends and family in February to see if anyone would be interested in playing hooky from work and doing a Build Day on our Mission site on International Women’s Day. We wanted to honour the women who, as our Partner Families, will be moving into our new homes in the spring.

We were thrilled with the immediate positive response and even more blown away by everyone’s commitment to fundraise. Within a short time (and with some friendship rivalries and bragging rights on the line) they raised over $11,000!!

Donna was excited to have something to focus on (other than COVID), Sam was eager to give back, Kirsty loves wielding tools, Lisa had a Habitat Build Day on her bucket list and Andraya recently became her own boss and writes her own rules (lucky for us, she is incorporating more volunteer days!).

With strict COVID protocols in place, they built kitchen cabinets, installed door hardware, and painted trim. Most importantly, two of our partner families joined our mighty workforce for the day.

“When I showed up here today, I was in complete shock”

Naomi is a single mom of two young children who found herself driving down the same road two years ago with her children and her belongings, not knowing where she was going to go. She courageously shared part of her journey with our group and later said, “I really wanted everyone to know how important this home is to me and my children just as I know how important it is to the other families. It is not easy starting over from scratch and it’s hard to reach out and ask for help. I really do feel truly blessed that there are organizations like Habitat around to help support families in laying down some roots and a foundation that can create freedom and opportunity for generations to come.“ March 8 was only the beginning of something bigger. In May, we are hosting Women Build, presented by Turner Construction: a safe and unique way to come together while we have been staying apart. Women from all walks of life (and in other affiliates across the country) will be joining together to pick up a hammer and help change lives. Participation requires a minimum $250 contribution (you can either fundraise or self-donate), and you will receive a rewarding day of labour with complimentary snacks, lunch, t-shirt, and joyous camaraderie. You or your donors will further benefit from a tax receipt.

Each Build Day accommodates a maximum of 16 volunteers and positions are filled on a first come basis. Learn more or register at www.habitatgv.ca/womenbuild2021

It is amazing to see what can happen when women gather together to make change!

HUGE thanks to our first POWER WOMEN of 2021.

Thanks for being #changemakers

A special thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, Turner Construction. To our Power Women Sponsors CBRE and Shaw Inc. Also our logistics partners Watson Gloves and Refined Interiors + Co.

Give your team something to look forward to this year

A Habitat Build Day is a perfect opportunity to bring the team back together safely for a deeply meaningful and rewarding experience.  

Last year was challenging on many levels, yet also brought us many examples of compassion, generosity, and resilience. We have all had ample time to reflect upon and appreciate the things we value most. To us at Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver, our focus remains on providing decent and affordable housing for working families.

As many of us start the year with hopeful optimism, we are all eager to re-connect with colleagues, friends and family. With robust COVID safety protocols in place, and plenty of space to socially distance, Habitat Build Days offer a unique opportunity to unite in a safe and uplifting environment. We invite you to join us at our build site in Mission, BC!

Greater Vancouver Board of Trade kick starts 2021

In January, The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade members joined together to fundraise and volunteer to transform the lives of our partner families. For many of the volunteers, this was the first opportunity they have had to escape their home office and feel connected to their community again. 

“It was my first time volunteering at Habitat for Humanity and helping to build affordable housing and the experience was superb! The work was tremendously meaningful, and it felt good helping build homes for families who are in need of housing. Would definitely volunteer again!” Ray Wang, RW Digital

You help us build homes, we help you build teams

A Habitat Build Day offers a full day of camaraderie, teamwork, laughter, photos, learning new skills and importantly, building homes and impacting the future of dozens of families. We accept volunteers of all skill levels and create an experience your team will never forget. 

HFHGV relies heavily on the support of our surrounding community to help us build homes and break the cycle of poverty, both through financial contributions and volunteering.  Your sponsorship and commitment will make a life-changing difference to our partner families for generations to come as dozens of families call these houses home over their lifespan.  

Participation is a minimum donation of $5000 for corporate groups. Some organizations have this type of event covered under human resources or marketing budget items, and others like to experience the fun and challenge of fundraising. If you choose to raise funds as a team, you will receive your own fundraising team website and full support from the Habitat team. 

100% of all donations are directly invested into the build for things such as skilled labour and materials necessary for completion.

There are reduced donation requirements for associations, schools, non-profits and churches.

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14 new families are moving in this spring

The final 6 homes in Richmond and the first 8 homes in Mission are scheduled for completion this spring! 

While this is an amazing achievement and represents our biggest year to date, the pandemic has compounded the struggle for many families, some of them front line workers, and has further increased the urgency for more affordable homes. This January we also broke ground on the final 11 homes in Mission. We invite you to please join us at a Build Day - change lives and help build strength, stability, and independence for hard-working local families just needing a hand up! You will leave yearning for more.. 

Learn more: www.habitatgv.ca/habitat-build-day or contact Carina Stirling, Community Engagement Manager cstirling@habitatgv.ca/ 236-888-1344.

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HABITAT FOR HUMANITY GREATER VANCOUVER AND GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

MAKING AFFORDABLE HOUSING MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR BLACK FAMILIES

Vancouver, BC – Dec 30, 2020 – Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver announced today that homeownership will become more accessible to Black families thanks to a new investment by the Government of Canada. Through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the Government is investing $20 million in Habitat (Greater Vancouver and other local Habitat organizations across Canada to create 200 home ownership opportunities for Black families living in Canada. The investment is contingent on Habitat for Humanity matching it with an additional $20 million.

"Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated existing systemic barriers faced by Black Canadians with housing need. This funding is another major step we are taking in partnership with Habitat for Humanity towards making home ownership more equitable for everyone, especially Black families across the country. As we make our way through this second wave, we will make sure that no Canadian is left behind." The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.

The new funding commitment reflects a recognition that systemic racism and discrimination are a reality for Black Canadians, and that Black families are underrepresented when it comes to homeownership and the stability, equity and transformation it brings.

For over 35 years, Habitat for Humanity has worked with Black families and others living with low income who want to transform their lives and futures through homeownership. “Habitat Greater Vancouver greatly appreciates this funding, which will help to address systemic racism and ensure that more Black families get access to affordable housing,” says Dennis Coutts, CEO Habitat For Humanity Greater Vancouver.

Details about this new housing initiative are being finalized and will be announced once completed.

For further updates please subscribe to our mailing list.

The construction industry contributes 4 million tonnes of waste in Canada annually. The City of Vancouver has adopted new green demo bylaws restricting demolition and offering incentives for recycling and repurposing building materials from deconstructed homes. It is only a matter of time before other municipalities follow suit. The Rebuild Hub accepts these usable materials, including heritage and dimensional lumber, flooring, windows, doors, and appliances and sells them back to the community. Funds raised through the Hub will be used to build safe and affordable homes for working families.

What is The Rebuild Hub?

The Rebuild Hub is a marketplace that sells building materials salvaged from deconstruction projects, diverting thousands of tonnes of useable product from landfills and recycling stations.

What can you do?

Choose to deconstruct your next project versus demolish. Not only will you be giving a new life to old timbers and amazing fixtures and appliances, but you will receive tax incentives to do so.

We are very excited to be partnering with The City of Vancouver on this project and be sure to follow us on social for more updates in the future. Together, our efforts can positively impact the environment, put money back in your pocket, and help us build homes.

HABITAT COMMUNITY JOIN TOGETHER FOR EVERY ONE BUILD

It’s been a tough year for everyone, and at Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver, we have felt the impact both financially and with the temporary closure of our build sites in Richmond and Mission. This has meant that families desperate for safe and stable housing are waiting even longer, many of them front-line workers living in untenable situations while having to shelter in place.

As we try to recover, this October we have launched the every one build campaign, and we invite you to join us! WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER.

$50,000 goal to put a roof over the heads of families in need

We’re calling on the community to help us reach our goal and quite literally put a roof over the heads of families in need of a safe and affordable place to live, helping them to break the cycle of poverty.

There are many easy ways to show your support. If the Habitat Greater Vancouver community all signed up and asked just one or two friends to sponsor them $25,  together we would smash the fundraising goal and have the critical funds desperately needed to complete the six homes in Richmond and 19 in Mission.

How YOU can help hardworking families in your community

-          Register online to fundraise and share your page on social and email https://www.habitatgv.ca/join

-          Donate

-          Bid on the silent auction (three Whistler accommodation stays available!)

-          Sponsor a build day

Take part in social media challenges #buildfromhome, follow @habitatvan

Fundraise for bucket loads of prizes!

We have a huge range of weekly prizes up for grabs! Herschel products, K’pure naturals products, a Saje products, gift baskets, games, tickets, family adventures and much more!

With just a few clicks of a button, you can make a difference and help set families up for future success, all form the comfort of your own home.

Every $50 raised, gains an entry to the weekly prize draw. Entries roll over each week, so fundraise early for more chances to win! You will receive one-to-one fundraising support from the Habitat team, it couldn’t be easier.

The real reward, however, is knowing that you are making a difference to the lives of dozens of families for generations to come.

To find out more and to register visit https://www.habitatgv.ca/join

Local businesses show their support

Thanks to generous support from the community, we are already a few steps closer to our goal. A huge thank you to build weeks sponsors: Kasian, Isle of Mann Property Group, Fulcrum Projects and Perkins & Will.

Thank you to build week partner Real Estate Foundation, BC

If you’d like to get involved with every one build, or have any questions email Carina Stirling, Community Engagement Manager, on cstirling@habitatgv.ca or call 236-888-1344

Second only to the day where we present keys to the families, is our Habitat Build days. Having corporate groups join us at our build sites is profoundly meaningful for them and a lot of fun for our Habitat team as well. Their support is invaluable in terms of funds going directly to the build and the amazing manpower they provide.

We love having groups join us at our build sites for a day of team building and lending a helping hand to support families in need of decent, affordable housing in our community. We hosted our first group of hardworking volunteers at the Mission build site this week and we are excited to have many more join us in Mission and Richmond this year.

Enjoy the recap video below

We want to thank the amazing team at Gescan for joining us onsite in Mission over the course of two days.

This will be an unforgettable experience for all who participated. We were touched by their solid work ethic and passion as they worked alongside our team to build and put up walls, paint, and prepare the site for the next stages of the build. In addition, Gescan most generously donated the electrical supplies for the homes being constructed and their impact will be felt forever in the Community of Mission.

Thanks to Gescan for rolling up their sleeves and supporting families in need!  

This is just the first of many groups we look forward to hosting this year. With COVID-19 protocols in place, and room to social distance, we invite your company to join us on the Mission or Richmond build site this year to participate in a memorable and impactful team building opportunity. 

 Click here to find out more about how to get involved in a Habitat Build day

Construction is well underway for the 19 townhome units in Mission BC that will offer a safe and affordable environment for families in the Greater Vancouver area. We have started accepting families to fill the homes. We interviewed one of the first partner families that have been accepted to receive a home in Mission this year, her story is just one example of the countless families that we are here to help.

Watch the Interview video below.

At Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver we are aware that there are many Canadian families in need of safe and affordable housing, we are advocates for the solution. 

Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver is actively helping to reverse the effects of housing insecurity one family at a time and Rachel’s story is just one of many stories we have to share.

With 19 townhomes in Mission underway and approximately 50 upcoming homes in Coquitlam, we are excited to help hundreds of Vancouver families gain strength and stability!

We cannot do it alone.  Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver is a community, not just an organization. We need the support of individuals and companies to assist in changing the lives of these families!

Are you asking yourself… HOW CAN I HELP!?

There are thousands of families in the exact same situation as this one partner family in Vancouver alone and there is a way for your to contribute!

We invite you to partner with Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver in several simple ways!

1. Follow — To hear more stories like this one follow us on instagram and stay tuned for more updates on the Mission project!

2. Volunteer — We always have a need for willing and able volunteers at our ReStore and Build sites.

3. SHOP — Our ReStores have reopened; purchase building supplies and home decor items and support our housing projects shop online today

4. Donate — We are accepting high quality construction materials and furniture items and actively looking for more, please schedule a pickup online. Every dollar raised through these ReStore donations will impact families such as Rachel’s.

There are multiple full time and part-time positions available to start now in Burnaby!

A Job at Habitat for Humanity offers comprehensive benefits, great life-work balance, and is fulfilling; knowing that your work is making a difference in our community.

Every day our team is helping provide homes for families in need in the Vancouver area and we want YOU to join us. Click here to view our current opportunities!

We are in need of crew members for our donation team, roles include truck driving and driver’s assistant roles.

Still wanting to get involved but already employed?

Our volunteer program is fully active and we are asking for more help at all our ReStores!

As a volunteer at the ReStore, you can complete transactions and serve customers, assist with merchandising or test/fix items (carpenters, electricians, cabinet makers, plumbers), and also work on our donation Truck team (drivers and crew mermbers)!

If you are interested in volunteering click here

A Habitat Build Day is a perfect opportunity to boost morale through teamwork and giving back. Join us!

As we all start to adapt to our new normal in this next phase of the COVID-19 world, we are all eager to start re-engaging with our colleagues and friends in a safe but invigorating fashion. This unique event could be your “kick-off” to a return to work, “summer BBQ” or simply a way for your group to work together and do good, while staying distanced. 

A Habitat Build Day offers a full day of camaraderie, laughter, food, photos, learning new skills and importantly, building homes and impacting the future of dozens of families. We are following strict COVID-19 guidelines, allowing us to work together safely, without hampering your experience in any way.  Your energy and financial support for our families will be making a life-changing difference. During COVID-19, like you, Habitat candidate families have been sheltering in place however sadly, they are trying to survive in overcrowded and unhealthy homes while trying to care for and teach their children. Many of these families are front line workers also balancing work and the associated risks.

Book your Habitat Build Day now and help us complete homes in Richmond for 6 families and have them in by Christmas 2020, or help with our 8 units in Mission for early 2021 completion! 

Help us now and then join us to witness the joy and relief on the faces of the families when they are given the keys to their new homes and futures. You will have contributed to providing self-reliance and independence to a family now and for generations to come.

 See you soon

Stephani Baker

Vice President Construction

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON BOOKING YOUR HABITAT BUILD DAY

The rewarding sound of hammers and saws have been sadly silent on our build sites for many weeks now. Ensuring the safety of volunteers, staff and trades meant that we had to put a hold on build progress. As the next few weeks bring about increasing economic and social activity with the loosening of restrictions in our communities, we look forward to that familiar buzz of construction activity again!

In Mission, crews will be busy building the foundations for 8 of the 19 homes on that site. In Richmond, we will be pouring concrete for the interior floors on six units and completing exterior building wrap and stucco preparation. Both of these sites will be very active this year with lots of opportunities for involvement from the summer onwards.

It has been a difficult 2 months for all of us as our routines, work life and family dynamics have had to shift beyond what any of us could have imagined when this year began. Millions of families have been staying home but not all of them in a safe and healthy environment. These are the families, many of whom are front line workers, who need us most and we are eager to get back to building homes for them!

As life begins to start to resemble our expected normal over the next number of weeks, we will gradually start to safely welcome volunteers and groups back to our build sites where we will, together, resume our efforts of changing lives forever. Contact us here for any Build Day enquiries.

Until then, stay safe, stay tuned for our updates and, if you are able, join us now by making a financial donation to help us rebuild from the devastating blow of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Justin Elton the President of 10 STAR AGENCY, an experiential marketing firm that is active Canada wide, couldn’t help but notice the hundreds of plywood boards being put up in front of storefronts all across Vancouver. Even in the midst of a global pandemic, it would be a shame once those businesses reopen to see the material end up in the landfill. Something should be done…

Taking matters into their own hand 10 STAR has gone across Vancouver putting posters up notifying the store owners that they can donate their plywood boards covering their businesses to Habitat for Humanity. In the end, they are hoping that materials temporarily blocking businesses will be able to be used to provide shelter for local Vancouver families in need permanently.

“We’re a brand activation agency who do nightlife entertainment, festivals and events. With all the bars and nightclubs shut down we’ve had staff sitting around and looking for ways to give back”

— Justin Elton | President of 10 STAR AGENCY

To find out more about 10 STAR AGENCY and the work they are doing click here

To find out more about Habitat for Humanity and our current projects in the Vancouver area click here

Dear Friends of Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver

We are approaching the 90-day mark of the Covid-19 pandemic, and although we are not out of the woods, we are seeing signs of returning to some of the former business normalcies, for which I am sure we are all grateful.

Thank you to everyone for doing your part, as we are, in keeping us all safe by following the advice of medical authorities, and we will continue to do so in the workplace.  Thank you for supporting our E-Store in such a significant way when we were not allowed to be together in the stores.  We appreciate your support and hope you will continue shopping online at restoreshop.ca as we continue to offer you great products at great values from the convenience of your home.  

But for those who have a bit of cabin fever, we are happy to say our stores are now open again! You can expect your safety and well being are top of mind for us as we continue to follow social distancing, wearing masks where appropriate, and providing hand sanitizers and protection at the checkout.  We look forward to being together with you once again, in person, in our safe ReStores.  Locations at www.Habitatgv.ca/restores-locatons. Every purchase made in our ReStores is helping families here and around the world build a better life for themselves and generations to come.

We are also very happy that our build sites are open and we can once again work side by side with our volunteers and our corporate partners.  What better way to rebuild your team and get close to your colleagues again in a safe place, than on our build site in Richmond and soon to be in Mission, BC?  You will have a one-of-a-kind experience on a build site where you receive training, renewed camaraderie and give a hand up to a family who will not otherwise have an opportunity to build strength, stability and independence.  Be a part of changing lives at www.habitatgv.ca/habitat-build-day. This truly is a rewarding experience.

In closing, affordable housing was in crisis with acute shortages prior to Covid-19, we can only imagine how many more families will need a hand up in this post Covid recovery.  You make the opportunity a reality for many hard-working families.  Please donate if you have the means to do so through our secure and encrypted online portal DONATE HERE. 

Be well, stay safe and continue to do your part. We at Habitat appreciate you.

With best wishes and heartfelt thanks,

Dennis Coutts, CEO

Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver

Dear Friends:
By the time this reaches you, the world may have tilted again and we may be in yet another version of daily adjustments as a result of the COVID-19 global health pandemic.

No individual, family or organization has been untouched by the impacts of COVID-19.   As a valued supporter, we are thinking about you and your friends, family and organization and hoping you are safe, healthy and successfully navigating all the challenges of this unprecedented situation.

COVID- 19 IMPACT

To protect our staff, volunteers and the public, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily close our ReStores, office and build sites to volunteers and the public. With ReStore revenue covering the organizational operating expenses and volunteer build days helping to pay for the building of homes, our revenue streams have been massively impacted.

While we have regrettably had to temporarily lay off many of our staff, we have a core group of staff still working behind the scenes to ensure that our stores are fully stocked and trades are lined up for our build sites so that when the time is right, Habitat Greater Vancouver will stand ready to once again accelerate our efforts with renewed energy and commitment. For shoppers, our EStore  features fabulous items across all departments that are available for purchase and curb side pickup!

WE NEED YOU NOW

Your support and help raising the funds needed to give families a chance has never mattered more than it does now.

We are all reflecting no doubt these days on the discomfort and anxiety that we feel being pent up in our homes, possibly laid-off work, and with no control over when this will end.

Maybe you are trying to balance family, work and in some cases, child-care and child education, or caring for loved ones from afar.  We find ourselves uncomfortable and maybe agitated by the significant disruption to even the simplest of daily activities and the complications of just shopping for food.  We understand!

We hope that  you have room to roam in your home or separate from others if only for a brief respite; that it is healthy and safe and that  you can go out for a walk or into your own yard for fresh air and let your kids play; and that you have friends with whom you can connect virtually to keep your world a little more interactive. 

The uncertainty so many of us feel today, far too many families have felt for a lifetime, if not generations. 

Imagine that you are in an unhealthy and overcrowded home and this has no end. Your kids cannot go outside as it is unsafe and no one ever gets a break. Your rent cannot be deferred or waived due to a crisis, you are working non-stop to pay it and buy food and have no extra to take the family out of your never-ending economic quarantine. 

Many of us are lucky as this will eventually end and we will have a new appreciation for many things.

The families we seek to help, many of whom are on the front lines now and every day, will not be as lucky.  For them, there is no brighter day without a hand up. As many of us shelter in our homes during this pandemic, our hearts are with those who don't have a decent or safe place to live. HOME IS KEY

We cannot build without your help!  Please JOIN US make a home a reality for hundreds of families in Greater Vancouver and DONATE today. 

What you give helps us build Habitat homes!
$25 helps buy a can of paint
$50 helps buy a box of nails
$250 helps buy a bathtub
$500 helps buy lighting supplies
$1000 helps buy energy efficient windows
$5000 helps buy a roof

While COVID-19 has changed our lives right now, what hasn’t changed is the reality lived by thousands of families who struggle to have a safe, decent place to live every day.   This was true before COVID-19 and it will be even more true after we get through this immediate crisis.

Thank You for your caring and generosity! Wishing you all safe and healthy days ahead. We look forward to welcoming you back to our Build Sites and ReStores as soon as we are able!

19 TOWNHOMES COMING SOON - 32588 CEDAR VALLEY CONNECTOR, MISSION

We are excited to share that we have received our build permits for 32588 Cedar Valley Connector in Mission and have started  Construction! The first phase requires significant earth and civil works to be completed as the entire plot of land must be raised and levelled to align with the adjacent street. Foundations for the first eight units will be in place in March 2020 with completion of these homes scheduled for December 2020 and the subsequent eleven homes by December 2021.

With completed homes only months away we are actively seeking applicant families for all nineteen units.

Perhaps you know a family who are in need of safe and affordable housing, or perhaps you fit the criteria to become a partner family yourselves! Applications are now open for the Mission Project  Click here to apply

We welcome involvement from anyone who wishes to support the project and our life-changing work. In an effort to build as affordably as possible and stretch our funds to maximum effect, we are always grateful for donated services or product applied to our construction needs. Cash donations help to ensure that we are able to pay for those trades and items that are required and your donation of time either volunteering on the build site or promoting community fundraising, leaves a lasting legacy for decades to come.

We are grateful to the District of Mission for their stalwart support and generosity and look very much forward to working in this incredibly warm and welcoming community for the next few years.

We are overjoyed to share that TV Celebrity and Interior Designer Jillian Harris has recorded a radio spot for us - encouraging donations to Habitat Greater Vancouver in support of building homes. Listen to her message here.

As the Holiday Season approaches, stress can be significant for many and particularly for families who are living paycheque to paycheque in uncertain housing. With 1 in 8 families in Canada facing housing insecurity, it is more important than ever for Habitat for Humanity to contribute to reducing these statistics.

This year, thanks to financial donations and the donation of goods and services by many, five families in Richmond will experience the joy of the holidays in a safe and stable home, knowing that the New Year will bring only more happiness and success and not the uncertainty that had dominated their past.

Two single mothers and three families of five have had their lives and futures forever changed, all because our community cared and donated.

2020 will mark the completion of Richmond homes for six more families and the start of construction for 19 homes in Mission and 50 homes in Coquitlam.

We cannot build without your help! Please JOIN US in our efforts to make safe, decent, affordable homes a reality for hundreds of families in Greater Vancouver and DONATE today.

$25 helps buy a can of paint
$50 helps buy a box of nails
$250 helps buy a bathtub
$500 helps buy lighting supplies
$1000 helps buy energy efficient windows
$5000 helps buy a roof

Your legacy will live on for generations to come!

On a sunny May 23rd in Richmond, five families officially received the keys to their new homes in a celebration that brought together the community. Volunteers, donors and staff were all on hand to recognize this huge milestone for Habitat Greater Vancouver and salute the achievement of building homes together! Check out our video clip of the ceremony here.

Meet our new Family Partners:

Kelley and her 16-year old son, Eden, have been in search of a safe and stable home for many months. Health struggles along with housing insecurity meant the family of two have been bunking with various friends and family, moving every few months as a result – Kelley has continued to fulfil her motherly duties, including driving Eden to his school in Burnaby, throughout this chaotic time. Their new Habitat home will finally give Kelley and Eden the embracing home environment they need to focus on building their futures.

The Rai’s

A family of five, The Rai’s have waited anxiously for move-in day at HFHGV’s Richmond Build, marking the end of a tumultuous period that resulted in over 11 relocations since 2000. Sharon and Jeff, along with their children James (26), Caleb (19), and Ruth (17), will move into their first ever stable place to call home, where they’ll resume building their lives and establishing a sense of community without further interruption.

The Taha-Mohamed’s

Gamachu, his wife Dureti, and their three young children – Dursa (6), Nanati (4), and Ifnan (23 months) – are immigrants to Canada from Ethiopia. Gamachu is no stranger to the HFHGV family, volunteering 4-5 hours of his time weekly – in addition to his place of full-time employment – to help out at the Vancouver ReStore, as well as working alongside the community on the Habitat build-site, now the Taha-Mohamed’s new place to call home. They are excited to have their own bedroom and their children will now also have their own space to thrive.

The Misquitta’s

Shailesh and Mamta are parents to Joshua (8), Grace (6), and Bliss (4). After being approved as a Partner Family in 2015, the Misquitta’s waited patiently for the completion of the homes, meanwhile living in a simple, one-bedroom basement suite that their family budget could afford. Despite having completed their “sweat equity” years ago, they continued to volunteer for Habitat at the Vancouver ReStore. Shailesh is looking forward to having a home in which he and his wife will no longer need to share a room with their children – and being a chef, is eager to have a space to host and dine with friends and family.

The Santonil’s

Single mother, Rowena and her son, Justin (9), are excited to start a new life where both son and mother have a bedroom of their own – their current one-bedroom apartment, located downtown, is a crowded, unhealthy space and not at all conducive to having people over. Soon, Justin will have the option to play outside with his friends, in safety, after school, which happens to be conveniently located next door. Their new home will offer the family of two a life-altering experience, giving Rowena peace of mind knowing that her son will grow up in a warm community environment that all parents can only dream of for their children.

Thank you to all the hundreds of volunteers, donors large and small who have made these families’ dreams of safe, decent, affordable housing a reality for generations to come.