3 minute read
Habitat is Happenin’ Building One Home a Year
by John Leech, Board Vice Chair, Habitat for Humanity Sunshine Coast
One home a year is a great legacy for Ed and Gwen Hawkins, the founders of Habitat for Humanity Sunshine Coast. Launched on the Coast in 2005 Habitat has 14 families in seven duplexes, six at the Sunshine Coast Village at Wilson Creek and one more duplex in Sechelt. Four more families will become Habitat families before the end of 2022, bringing the total families to 18. Quite the accomplishment for a very small society in a community with a relatively low population.
Active with Habitat since its inception, Ed and Gwen were everywhere and doing everything for Habitat, from acquiring homes, and building the Village, to launching the highly successful ReStore and fundraising through events such as a community gala. Regrettably, and a great loss to Habitat and our community. both Gwen (2021) and Ed (2022) passed away within the past year. In memory of their signifi cant contribution to Habitat and the Sunshine Coast, Habitat has established the Ed & Gwen Hawkins Fund, details to be released later this year.
The fi nal building at the Sunshine Coast Village, a fourplex, is nearing completion. With fi nancial support from BC Housing, the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, a major gift from a community donor and net proceeds from the ReStore and our two refundables operations, the fourplex will complete the project at this site. Final landscaping, fencing, a community garden and a playground will nicely put a bow on this large undertaking. Ed and
Ed and Gwen Hawkins, founders of Habitat for Humanity Sunshine Coast, dress for the occasion at a gala to raise funds to help Habitat build affordable homes for working families Gwen both witnessed the project launch and without a doubt would be pleased with this contribution to housing on the Sunshine Coast.
The Habitat Board is now refl ecting on future housing projects and will be looking to new fundraising initiatives as well as affordable land acquired through an outright donation, low-cost purchase or leasing arrangement. Habitat’s Lands and Resources Committee, headed by Brad Ferguson, is actively exploring the land and building opportunities. In 2021 and 2022 Habitat began a modest awareness-building initiative with plans to expand that work in 2023. A new Executive Director, Douglas Dunn, joined our team in May and is injecting a new vibrance to Habitat’s work on the Sunshine Coast. With solid planning, the resourcefulness of the Habitat Board, volunteers and staff and the full support of the Sunshine Coast community, Habitat will continue to build at least one home a year.
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