FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region holds a Dedication Ceremony for six new homes, completing a 45 home project on Kehl Street in Kitchener.
KITCHENER, Ontario, May 28, 2024: Six Kitchener families became homeowners at Habitat Waterloo Region’s Dedication Ceremony today. This build project consists of six townhouses in the Southdale area of Kitchener. These homes mark the completion of the Kehl Street project, a ten-year, 45 home neighbourhood built utilizing volunteers and community in the traditional Habitat for Humanity model.
“Kehl Street has been central to our work for ten years. As I reflect on that space, I am grateful to all who contributed to it’s success – volunteers, donors and other members of the community network. These types of partnerships are necessary to bring a project like this to fruition. A huge congratulations to all the families. We are happy to celebrate this milestone with you on Dedication Day!” says Philip Mills, Habitat Waterloo Region CEO.
The Dedication Ceremony is a time to celebrate the completion of the build project and the accomplishments of six families who will become official homeowners. We recognize and applaud the time and hard work that the families have shown in their efforts to become homeowners.
Along with the new homeowner families, volunteers, donors, partners, community members, and special guests gathered to acknowledge the collective work that went into these homes. We had over 10,000 volunteers, contributing over 220,000 hours on the Kehl Street build, showing just how much our community is committed to affordable homeownership in Waterloo Region.
Since 2019, the Government of Canada has made a total funding commitment of $1.8M through the Affordable Housing Fund under the National Housing Strategy towards Habitat Waterloo Region projects, including these homes.
“Through collaborative efforts with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, we are committed to providing every Canadian affordable housing options that they can proudly call home,” said Member of Parliament for Waterloo, Bardish Chagger on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities. “Today’s announcement shows the transformation that comes from these strong partnerships within the housing sector. I am very pleased to see the positive impact of our government’s work, and as we open the doors to these new homes, I extend my warmest wishes to the six families embarking on their next journey as homeowners."
In March 2023, the Government of Canada and Habitat for Humanity Canada announced an additional $25 million investment to build 500 new affordable homes across Canada over the next three years. This brings the total federal investment in Habitat for Humanity to $80.8 million through the Government of Canada’s Affordable Housing Fund.
Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region is a registered charitable organization dedicated to helping families build better lives through affordable homeownership. Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region builds homes in partnership with qualifying families. For this project at Kehl Street, a no downpayment, interest-free mortgage, facilitated through Habitat Waterloo Region, brought homeownership within reach for 45 families that would otherwise be priced out of the market.
Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region has been active in Canada since 1988 and has since built 145 homes in the region with the help of dedicated community members.
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For more information, please contact:
Jennifer Peacock, Manager of Marketing and Communications
Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region
jpeacock@habitatwr.ca
(519) 226-749-4797
www.habitatwr.ca
Maggie Raposo, Director of Community Outreach
Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region
mraposo@habitatwr.ca
(519) 841-2306
www.habitatwr.ca
Micaal Ahmed
Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
micaal.ahmed@infc.gc.ca
Our Vision
Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region envisions a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Our Mission
Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region works to bring community together to help families build strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable homeownership.
Our Values
• Housing for all
• Human dignity
• Partnership
• Diversity and inclusivity
• Accountability
