The Groundbreaking ceremony took place on November 10, 2016 for Phase 2, Unit 3 and 4, both single detached four-bedroom houses. Audrey and her three children, Averie, Anastasia and Angel were chosen as the future Habitat homeowners for Unit 4.
Audrey’s rental had faulty plumbing, wind whistling down the hallway and mould. Audrey said that her current living situation was not great due to drugs, violence and building issues and commented, “My kids are not allowed to play outside – even inside our home it’s not safe, and to have this opportunity means everything. For them to have friends; to know that they’re safe and they’re happy is everything.”
Audrey was thrilled to be chosen as a future Habitat homeowner. “My children and I are so thankful to be chosen as a Habitat family. To have a good home where my kids can grow up is all I have ever wanted for them. With the opportunity of being a Habitat for Humanity homeowner, I can now provide that for my children. Thank you!”
After the Dedication ceremony, Audrey said, “It’s not something I ever expected … and now to have the keys; it’s a light at the end of the tunnel. To find affordable housing that fits within my budget, I would have had to put all three kids in one room because a two bedroom is $1,200 or more, and that’s just rent. That’s not including the sky-rocketing hydro bills and putting food on the table and clothes on their backs, and that’s not even thinking about myself. That’s just making sure their needs are met first.” Audrey asked her children what having this new home meant to them and they said, “Happiness; a place to play; excitement!” Audrey and her children moved into their new Habitat home on August 1, 2017.