A Brighter Future: Another Habitat for Humanity Success Story by Jelayna Murdoch In a world where headlines are dominated by the housing crisis, one can’t help but feel the weight of an ongoing struggle for affordable and accessible housing. This issue isn’t confined to any particular region; it’s a national concern, with politicians across the board pledging to make housing more attainable for average Canadians. Even here on the Sunshine Coast, where natural beauty abounds, the harsh reality of soaring housing prices and elusive affordable rentals has become a daily concern. It’s the younger generation, particularly young families, who find themselves most profoundly affected. But amidst the challenges, there’s a glimmer of hope. A local success story shines as a beacon of optimism in these trying times. Just a year ago, Alicia and her son, Cooper, were residing in a rented trailer. While it was an affordable option, it required maintenance and upgrades. The singlepane windows made winters far from cozy, and the lack of playmates for Cooper in the neighborhood was a concern. Alicia, who had recently embarked on a career change, was determined to carve out a new path for herself and her son. It was Cooper’s grandmother who first suggested exploring the Affordable Housing Program offered by Habitat for Humanity. Alicia had heard of Habitat for Humanity, thanks to her familiarity with the ReStore and the signs she had seen around town carrying the Habitat message. She recalled, “I remember a carpentry class in high
school did a project to help a Habitat build,” but her knowledge was limited to that. Encouraged by her son, she attended a Habitat information session in Davis Bay in the spring of 2022. At first, she didn’t believe the Affordable Housing Program was meant for her. She had a reasonable income and was keeping up with expenses, leading her to believe she wasn’t the kind of family Habitat aimed to assist. However, she soon discovered that she was precisely the kind of family that Habitat was eager to support. After an application process that involved sharing financial information and personal interviews, Alicia and Cooper were accepted into the program. The requirement of contributing volunteer hours didn’t deter her. Alicia dove right in, eagerly accumulating the hours necessary to qualify for a Habitat home. “I worked at the bottle depot at Salish Soils, at the ReStore, wherever I was needed,” she recalled. While it was a challenging task, Alicia found it rewarding, as she was working towards her dream of affordable housing. “I still keep in touch with the volunteers and Habitat staff I worked with. They are a great, very supportive group.” Habitat for Humanity’s Affordable Housing Program doesn’t provide a handout; it offers “a hand up” to working families who are struggling to get ahead. The partnership with Habitat allows families to secure safe and affordable housing, never costing more than 30% of their household income. Simultaneously, they accumulate funds for their future goals.
What advice would Alicia offer to anyone considering applying for the program? “Try, just try. I had a preconceived idea of who Habitat was trying to help. Every day I walk in my door after work and think ‘I’m home.’ I have never felt that before. We are so happy and so grateful. I promote Habitat for Humanity wherever I go.” For those interested in exploring the Habitat for Humanity Affordable Housing Program, more information is available at [Habitat for Humanity Sunshine Coast’s website](https:// www.habitatsc.ca/howtoapply/).
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