Families Move Into Habitat Homes

A Vernon project that has been years in the making is becoming reality.

Three families are moving into the Habitat for Humanity House on 35th Avenue in Vernon, in the lower East Hill area.

Chairperson Glory Westwell says the families –who are all from Vernon — have a total of seven children, all under the age of nine.

“Which is wonderful. And they’re so excited, and we’re so excited. Right now it’s just a beehive of activity.”

Westwell says about 50 families applied for the three bedroom units of supported housing.

“It’s a very hard process. There are so many that are needing our help.”

Westwell says the families have to provide 500 hours of sweat equity to help build their home, and have to supply one third of their income for their mortgage, strata fee, and city taxes.

“We always make sure they have a good amount of money left over to improve their lives, maybe get education, whatever they feel they need to do.”

Westwell says the community and businesses that have come together to make the project happen have been phenomenal.

“We’ve been thinking about this for probably seven years, trying to raise money to buiy land because that’s the biggest setback for us, to find a piece of property that’s in a good location for families, which this one is perfect.”

A formal opening ceremony will be held Dec. 3.