Two NWT families receive new homes through Habitat for Humanity
Two NWT families are now proud homeowners thanks to Habitat for Humanity and a long list of financial contributors and diligent volunteers.
One new home went to a single mother named Brandee and her two teen children in Hay River, and another went to Yellowknife couple Candace and Christian and their two young children. The family’s last names are not being published for privacy reasons.
“Getting chosen for the Habitat program was the best thing to happen to my children and I,” Brandee said. “Having a safe and permanent home is what we’ve been working towards for a long time and being a single parent, it’s not easy.”
Brandee’s new Hay River home has three bedrooms and one bathroom. She and her family moved in in 2023, and were officially welcomed into their home at a special ceremony in their community this month, which was postponed due to last year’s wildfire evacuations.
She and her children have already been enjoying their new digs.
“My kids are so grateful to have their own rooms and my daughter was so happy to have her friends for sleepovers,” she said. “We are excited to start this new chapter in our lives. Thank you Habitat for all the guidance and support you have given us.”
Candace and Christian’s home features four bedrooms and two bathrooms. They were also the centre of a special ceremony in Yellowknife in May.
Funding for the two homes was provided by provided by the Government of Canada’s Affordable Housing Fund, the Government of the Northwest Territories, Elks Lodge 314 Yellowknife, and many local contractors and businesses in both communities, who provided free and discounted supplies and services. The land the homes were built on was donated by the two communities.
“The Habitat for Humanity model gives families an incredible opportunity to own a home without a down payment, with mortgage payments geared to their income so they can start saving for their family’s future while building equity and financial stability,” said Dave Hurley, Board Chair of Habitat for Humanity NWT. “Once again, our communities and supporters came together to help make these builds possible to make a meaningful difference in these family’s lives, and we are so excited to officially welcome our new deserving homeowners in two communities.”
Tom Taylor, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWT News/North
