In Early 1994
Habitat for Humanity Mid-Vancouver Island began as Habitat for Humanity Nanaimo when Ron Caldwell brought together a small group known as the Advisory Committee. Society status was granted by the province in December 1994 and the first official Board of Directors took office in September 1995.
The first task of the Board was to create the National affiliation documents which were completed and sent to the National office in June 1996. Habitat for Humanity Nanaimo Society changed its name at the 2007 Annual General Meeting to Habitat for Humanity Mid-Vancouver Island Society, to reflect our building areas within Mid-Vancouver Island.
May 1998
In May 1998, after much fundraising efforts, we purchased our first property on Rosehill Street in Nanaimo that would allow the construction of a duplex, completed April 2000.
In September 2000, Habitat Mid-Vancouver Island then embarked on a new build project on Lambert Avenue in Nanaimo. Once again, through donations and volunteers working alongside the future homeowners, the second house was completed and the new homeowners moved into their new home.
2001
In 2001, plans for the development of our ReStore got underway. After much effort, in December 2001, Habitat Mid-Vancouver Island launched the first ReStore in BC and the 19th in North America! ReStore revenue pays for all Habitat Mid-Vancouver Island’s operating costs as well as money to help with local building projects. In addition, thousands of tonnes of reusable building and home renovation materials are diverted from the landfill – promoting consumers to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Once the ReStore was open, the focus went back to our next building projects. Between 2003 and 2014, our build projects have included 6 single-detached houses and 3 duplexes in Nanaimo, Ladysmith, and Parksville.
2011
In 2011, Habitat Mid-Vancouver Island formed a partnership with Vancouver Island University where Trades’ Program students work at the build site providing them with a hands-on classroom. As well, whenever possible, the VIU heavy equipment operator students gain valuable training using an excavator at the build site. This unique partnership with VIU continues today with other Trades Programs involved with the house building providing approximately 4,500 student volunteer hours per house.
2017
Our property on Extension Road, Nanaimo is the biggest to date for Habitat Mid-Vancouver Island. A six house strata, named “Meadow Hill” development was built in 3 phases, 2 houses per phase. Phase 1, a three and a four-bedroom house, was completed in August 2016. Phase 2, with 2 four-bedroom houses was completed in August 2017. Phase 3, with a 2-bedroom accessible house and 3-bedroom house was completed in the fall of 2017.
2019
In 2019, Habitat Mid-Vancouver Island worked on 2 developments; a duplex on Cowichan Lake road which has since been completed, and a 6 plex on Jubilee St. in Duncan which was completed in 2021. With the completion of the builds in Duncan, we now have built 25 homes, renovated 3 homes, and served 33 families in Parksville, Ladysmith, Nanaimo, and the Cowichan Valley.
2022
Habitat Mid-Vancouver Island also has plans in the works for 6-8 house strata on Pine St. and Albert St. in Nanaimo, which we are hoping to break ground in 2022 or 2023.
