Habitat families in St. John's celebrate new homes

ST. JOHN'S, Feb. 22, 2018 /CNW/ - A key dedication ceremony was held today to celebrate a Habitat for Humanity home on McNeil Street in St. John's. The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador contributed $85,000, through the 2014-2019 Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) Agreement, towards the newly built single family three-bedroom home.

Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament ? St. John's East on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, made the announcement today.

Quotes:

"There is a great deal of work and cooperation that takes place during Habitat for Humanity builds, such as this one. Our Government is proud to be partner. The investments in these new homes will make a real difference in the lives of two families, a place they can proudly call their own."- Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament ? St. John's East

"We recognize the tremendous benefit of having strong, smart and dedicated community-based organizations throughout the province. By continuing to work collaboratively with our partners, we can help ensure more families have access to safe, and affordable housing throughout Newfoundland and Labrador." ? The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation

"Providing a "hand up" one house, one family at a time, that is what we are all about here at Habitat for Humanity. Our partner families have worked hard to achieve their dream of homeownership, we are grateful to our community sponsors, staff and volunteers who make their dream a reality." ? Sandra Whiffen, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity Newfoundland and Labrador

"Habitat has allowed us to have a home for my daughter to grow up in and call her own. I truly can't put into words what it means to us." ? The Bloodworth family

"Having a Habitat home for us means no more moving, planting our roots and finally getting to call our house a home. I can now look at my home and say; "this is what I've been working so hard for!" It's not just a home, it's a life lesson for my kids that show if you work hard, you can do anything!" ? The Bragg Family

Quick facts:

• The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador contributed $85,000, through the 2014-2019 Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) Agreement, towards the newly built Habitat for Humanity project; a single family three-bedroom home located on McNeil Street.
• A new family has also moved into a recently renovated four-bedroom Habitat home on Charter Avenue. Both families have been living in their new homes since this December 2017.
• The home dedication ceremony took place in St. John's City Hall.
• The Government of Canada recently unveiled its National Housing Strategy - a 10-year, $40 billion plan that will create 100,000 new housing units and lift 530,000 families out of housing need.

Associated links:

As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. For more information, please visit cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation