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Habitat presents new partner home in Abbotsford

The home on Farmer Road was presented to the Fonseca family on behalf of Habitat for Humanity on Saturday.
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Habitat for Humanity handing over the keys to a new home located at Farmer Rd

Habitat for Humanity Upper Fraser Valley turned over the keys on Saturday to a new home for a local family.

The house at 34608 Farmer Rd. was presented to the Fonseca family, who were selected for the residence a year ago from several applicants.

Single mom Jocelyn now lives in the two-storey house with her two sons, ages 11 and 12.

Habitat for Humanity builds homes in partnership with selected families, who pay an interest-free loan and never pay more than 30 per cent of their total family income for their housing.

They also provide more than 500 "sweat equity" hours in building the home.

The local Habitat for Humanity paid for the Farmer Road property, and the home was built with about $80,000 worth of donated materials, $40,000 in cash donations, and more than 2,800 hours of donated labour from 65 to 75 volunteers.

Much of the funds came from proceeds of the ReStore – located at 34220 South Fraser Way in Abbotsford – which sells new and used building supplies, home decor and furniture.

Ken Friesen Construction donated much of the labour and co-ordinated the volunteers, as well as collecting $40,000 in cash donations.

Steve Dunton, chairman of the local Habitat for Humanity board of directors, said this was a "huge community project" with a big payoff.

"It's a life-changing experience for our families (to receive a home)," he said.

The organization hopes to build 20 new duplex-style townhomes in Abbotsford and Mission next year. Several properties have already been located for this purpose, Dunton said.

For more information about getting involved, visit habitatufv.ca or call 604-557-1020.

Watch an upcoming edition of The News for a special feature on this project.

Check out video highlights here.

 

Steve

 

(Left: Steve Dunton, Chairman of the board of directors at Habitat for Humanity, Upper Fraser Valley.)

About

Habitat for Humanity Upper Fraser Valley is an independent, non-profit housing society, dedicated to building affordable homes in partnership with families

Company Overview

Habitat for Humanity Upper Fraser Valley is an independent, non-profit housing society, dedicated to building affordable homes in partnership with families in need. Homeowners contribute hundres of hours of "sweat equity" and pay a no-interest mortgage on the home. Mortgage costs are kept low by the use of volunteer labour and by the donation of funds and building materials.

Description

By focusing on the housing needs of low income families, Habitat promotes economic change from within. Families thrive in an improved environment and work toward economic independence.

The elimination of substandard housing is the mission. To accomplish this mission they function as a construction company, a mortgage company, and a social service organization. The construction company actually builds the houses, relying on tax deductible contributions of land, materials, money and services.

In addition, the construction company coordinates with other groups and agencies to get the new homes built. As a mortgage company, Habitat provides 20-year no interest loans to qualified families. Habitat acts as a social service organization working with each new homeowner to provide help that goes beyond "here is your new house". To make the transition into home ownership, families are offered help with money management, home maintenance, and the social change created by their change in status.

Office located at: #12 -34220 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford. www.habitatufv.ca.