The key to a HAPPY CHRISTMAS
Habitat for Humanity fulfils families’ wishes, but races to keep up with lack of housing in the GTA
When the Bhuttooah family learned they’d finally have a home of their own, son, Shivam, 7, and daughter, Ganay, 6, were excited to know a few things.
“The children were so talkative and had so many questions — and they were all about space,” says Ene Underwood, CEO for Habitat for Humanity, Greater Toronto Area, recalling a visit she made to the family last March in the tiny townhouse basement in Brampton where they were living.
“They wondered if there would be a place for a dresser for their clothes — or room for a bench at the front door to put their shoes under.”
In the family’s rented home, the kitchen and bathroom were sandwiched into one small area while the children and their parents, Amreet and Devi, slept in the only other room. Mattresses for the adults were stored under the kids’ beds during the day and pulled out at night — there was no room for any other furniture. They also had to deal with a cockroach infestation and poor ventilation.
This month, the Bhuttooahs are among seven families who became homeowners of three-bedroom townhouses at a 13-unit Habitat for Humanity GTA project in Brampton (the remaining six families will get their keys in 2019).
The Bhuttooahs’ house was built with $80,000 raised through the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD).
The family now has room for dressers and other furniture plus a place for their shoes at the front door. And, finally, space for the kids to play.
“This will be a happy Christmas for us,” says Amreet, who came with his wife to Canada from the Republic of Mauritius, an island country in the Indian Ocean, in 2010.
He works as a sales analyst and his wife, who has earned an advanced diploma in management and accounting since moving here, works for a property management company. The couple heard about Habitat for Humanity from a friend and applied about five years ago; they were thrilled to learn they’d been selected to own one of the new houses on McLaughlin Rd. N.
The family put in the 500 hours of “sweat equity” required by Habitat by helping to build their home, including working some weekends at the ReStore.
“I had some skills building concrete houses in Mauritis, but the houses there are very simple,” Amreet says. “I learned some new skills here as there is much more required to build houses in Canada.”
In another Brampton neighbourhood, the Kanwal family is also having a joyful holiday season — again thanks to the home-building industry.
They are the new owners of a stacked townhouse at the Daniels’ FirstHome Beckenrose project, made possible through a Daniels Corp.-Habitat for Humanity partnership.
Like the Bhuttooahs, the Kanwal family are immigrants and were living in rental accommodation too small to comfortably house a family.
“Daniels has really been a trailblazer in terms of partnership with Habitat,” Underwood says. “They see giving back as integral part of their business model, especially affordable housing.” Underwood says Daniels’ 20-year partnership with Habitat is unparalleled in Canada and it’s made it possible for 36 families to become homeowners.
“Developing creative ways and partnerships to make homeownership a reality for as many people as possible is at the heart of every community we create,” says Don Pugh, vice-president, the Daniels Corp.
According to a recent report by planning consultant firm Malone Given Parsons with data from Statistics Canada, 36 per cent of households living in one-bedroom dwellings in the GTA and Hamilton area are not suitably housed. This includes families like the Bhuttooahs and Kanwals. The Bhuttooahs’ home marks the 15th Habitat for Humanity house that BILD has funded. The organization has raised more than $1 million with fundraising events for Habitat GTA since 2003.
This past year, BILD fun- draised $80,000 for the Bhuttooahs’ house through such events and, in August, about 20 BILD members spent the day framing, insulating and installing windows at the Bhuttooah home during a Habitat Build Day.
“BILD’s long-standing relationship with Habitat GTA has not only provided a home for 15 families, it has also provided them with a brighter future,” BILD president and CEO Dave Wilkes said.
“Our industry is committed to giving back to the community and BILD is proud to support our community partner and their efforts to help build affordable homes for families in need.”
Yet, there are many families in need, Underwood notes. “There are 90,000 people moving to the GTA each year and we are already behind having appropriate housing. We will be very challenged to catch up.”