TWO MORE HABITAT HOMES

Pair of Kingsville families move in

The season of giving gained a whole new meaning for two Kingsville families who took possession of new homes Monday that were built with the help of more than 300 volunteers.

Constructed through Habitat for Humanity Windsor-essex, the homes represent a bright new future for both families, who previously were unable to purchase their own residence.

“It’s definitely special when we can do something like this right before Christmas,” said Habitat executive director and CEO Fiona Coughlin. “This is the time where we are most keenly aware of people who are in need.”

Coughlin said the current crisis caused by the lack of affordable housing is the reason both families of four — with two sons each — were caught in a cycle of renting apartments that were becoming less and less affordable.

“The high cost of housing is pushing hard-working people into homelessness,” Coughlin said. “Even as we built, the Ford family was actually pushed out of their apartment while we were in the middle of their build.”

This caused an added push to get the homes finished and the families moved in before the holidays.

“It really is time for all of us to recognize that housing is a basic human right and not an investment commodity,” she said.

But Coughlin said the day was meant to be a celebration, which brought together many community members, dignitaries and donors.

Members of the Caldwell First Nation blessed the properties and the Ford home. The Ford family’s children are First Nation.

The Kingsville high school marching band provided entertainment as well as led participants from the first home on Birch Avenue to the second on Maple Avenue, just one block north.

Hundreds of supporters, donors and volunteers helped to bring the two families home for the holidays, including Libro Credit Union, which donated $20,000 and provided 30 staff to help build the houses.

“We’re celebrating a victory today — two victories today,” Coughlin said. “Those houses will stand for centuries showing the community what happens when we all work together.

“This is something this season is all about, how we can take care of our fellow man. It can’t be done alone.”

DAN JANISSE Habitat for Humanity Windsor-essex marks its 66th and 67th Habitat Build Projects with a dedication Monday. The Grade 9 music class from Kingsville high school poses in front of the Fortuna family home during the event. Logan and Dean Fortuna are classmates in the music class.