On July 7, 2023 Habitat for Humanity Northumberland staff, volunteers, partners, sponsors, dignitaries, and neighbours came together to officially “turn the sod” on a new Habitat project in the Town of Cobourg. Habitat Northumberland acquired land through a partnership with the Town of Cobourg and, in the coming year, will build a single-detached affordable home on the property.
“In March of 2022, we dedicated a home on the same road and were hopeful that we would acquire land beside this house to build another home. In August 2022, the Town of Cobourg declared the land just west of this home surplus. Council generously agreed to donate the vacant lot to Habitat to build a much needed affordable singledetached home,” explains Meaghan Macdonald, Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity Northumberland.
“Since then our staff have been working to prepare the site for construction which, we are proud to announce, will likely commence this year.”
At the event Habitat Northumberland also took this opportunity to announce a key partner for this project in Cobourg as well as the 7-unit net-zero townhome project currently under construction in Baltimore. Through the National Housing Strategy’s National Housing Co-Investment Fund, the Government of Canada is investing $400,000 into these homes, bringing Habitat for Humanity one-step closer to creating 1,117 new affordable homes across Canada. These projects simply would not be possible without this support.
“Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund, the Government of Canada is investing in affordable housing here in Northumberland County and across the country. Thanks to this funding and in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Northumberland, eight deserving families will achieve their dream of owning a home they can proudly call their own. I hope that these families find great happiness in their new homes.” – The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and
Inclusion.
The key partnerships announced at this event, alongside countless other partners and supporters who have already come forward, will ensure that 8 families can purchase affordable homes through Habitat’s homeownership program here in Northumberland County. This is the most homes being constructed at any one time for Habitat Northumberland and reflects an effort to do more to meet the growing demand for affordable housing. Volunteers and donors will be needed to help complete these homes. For more information on how to get involved, please contact Melissa Morrison, Community & Fund Development Coordinator (289-252-0999 ext. 29, volunteer@habitatnorthumberland.ca) or visit www.habitatnorthumberland.ca.
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
