Day: December 21, 2016

Habitat for Humanity in South Georgian Bay

by Collingwood InfoUncategorized

There are a number of families out there who can’t afford a home in Collingwood. Unfortunately, with rising housing prices, the dreams of owning one’s own piece of property don’t work out for those who simply can’t raise a down payment or afford the mortgage payment. Fortunately for those in South Georgian Bay, Habitat for Humanity is a great organization that helps low-income families to build and buy their dream home.

Recently, a Wasaga Beach family realized their home ownership dream through Habitat for Humanity South Georgian Bay. Other families in the community can benefit from this program as well and those who don’t need the help can offer help to those who need it. But, this isn’t an Oprah Winfrey situation where people are rewarded with homes for just being there. What Habitat for Humanity does is set up no-interest mortgages on affordable and quality homes that they build themselves (with the help of the community).

Rather than come up with a down payment, families are expected to put in the sweat equity required to build the home, with other volunteers helping it along. As well, family members can volunteer at the Habitat ReStore in Collingwood, which is an amazing resource for those looking for used quality building materials and other goods. There are some amazing deals and the ReStore is huge with 11,500 square feet of space of supplies for home building, renovations and design. You can also donate your new and used household and building materials in order to help other families in the community.

040623-N-8977L-010 San Pasqual, Calif. (June 23, 2004) - Sailors assigned to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) position a frame of a wall while helping the non-profit group Habitat for Humanity build homes for families who lost their houses in the 2003 Southern California Wildfires. The ship is currently in transit around South America and is scheduled to arrive in her new homeport of San Diego, Calif., in late July. The ship is currently in transit around South America and is scheduled to arrive in her new homeport of San Diego, Calif., in late July. Several Sailors are ashore as a part of an advance team of Reagan personnel making the necessary preparations for the ships arrival. U.S. Navy photo by PhotographerÕs Mate 2nd Class Johansen Laurel (RELEASED)

So far, the South Georgian Bay branch has helped 12 families and they are planning on their 13th build in the east end of Collingwood for next year. Habitat for Humanity has pledged to build 150 homes across Canada in celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017.

If you are in need

If you don’t think you can manage owning a home on your own, due to financial hardship stopping you from saving a down payment, consider becoming a partner family. You can apply right on their site. If you want to volunteer, give a cash donation or a corporate sponsorship, that information is on their website as well.

Another small way you can help is to collect all of your aluminium cans and donate them to the ReStore, where they will sell them to a recycler and use the funds to continue their programs. At this time of year, doing all you can to help those is need is always appreciated and our Collingwood community is definitely up for the task.