On Friday April 26th, 2019 local dignitaries, Habitat for Humanity Northumberland staff, local volunteers, partners, sponsors and community members came together at 22 and 24 University Avenue in Cobourg to welcome two families to their new homes. This celebration marked the end of the first phase of Habitat for Humanity Northumberland’s project on this property. Habitat Northumberland is ultimately hoping that the University Avenue project will support four families in achieving strength, stability and independence through affordable homeownership.
In 2017 Habitat Northumberland purchased the large semi-detached house located at 22 and 24 University Avenue from Trinity United Church. The congregation at Trinity United Church had owned the property for years and had used the property to provide affordable rental units in the community. However, when considering the long-term management costs required for the ongoing maintenance of the property, the Church created a Committee to review their options. After a long and engaged process the Committee recommended to the congregation that they sell the property to Habitat for Humanity Northumberland for a very reasonable price. In turn, Habitat Northumberland proposed to renovate the existing units and, hopefully, build additional units on the back of the building so that the property could be maximized to create more affordable homeownership in the community.
In 2018 Habitat Northumberland began the rezoning process to increase the number of units on the property from two to four. While this process was underway volunteers and construction staff began the renovation of the two existing units. Over the course of the renovation youth, individuals, teams, local organizations and sponsors have volunteered alongside the two families to refresh and rejuvenate these two units. In addition to regular volunteer teams and build days Habitat Northumberland also hosted Youth Engagement Spotlights and a Women Build Week, sponsored by 100+ Women Northumberland, at this site.
This project has also brought together an incredible group of donors and sponsors. In addition to the contribution from Trinity United Church as the main partner on the project, the two key sponsors of this phase of the project are The Home Depot Canada and the Rotary Club of Cobourg. Additionally, all of the proceeds from the “20 for 20 in 20” campaign, sponsored by Spoolon Manufacturing, were used to purchase the materials needed to renovate these two homes. Finally, community based contractors and suppliers contributed skilled labour and materials to ensure that these two homes could be completed.
While Habitat recognizes all of these contributors to the rejuvenation of these homes, the dedication ceremony is ultimately all about the future homeowner families. After completing more than 500 sweat equity hours each, two new families will now have the opportunity to turn these houses into homes. Feras, Yasmin and their family received the keys to 22 University Avenue while Alexis, David and their three daughters received the keys to 24 University Avenue. Both of these families will now enter into the next phase of partnership with Habitat Northumberland as homeowners. Their affordable monthly mortgage payments will be invested into Habitat’s “Fund for Humanity” which is used to build the next Habitat homes in Northumberland County.
This is the end of the first phase of the project on this property. Habitat Northumberland has submitted a Site Plan Application to the Town of Cobourg for the proposed additional two units. Pending approval, Habitat Northumberland is hoping to start the construction on these two units later in 2019. Other 2019 plans include building the first Habitat home in Hamilton Township this summer.
“A dedication ceremony is always a chance for us to celebrate the end of months of time, engagement and investment,” says Meaghan Macdonald, Executive Director. “However, with the current housing crisis that exists in our communities across this County we will not be resting for long. We are committed to continuing to work hard and do more to ensure that members of this community have a safe place to call home.”
For more information or to stay updated with Habitat for Humanity Northumberland’s upcoming plans, please visit the website at http://www.habitatnorthumberland.ca or follow Habitat’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/HabitatNorthumberland/.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
