On Monday Morning, Habitat for Humanity Niagara held a groundbreaking ceremony in Thorold South for a new project that will see five homes be built for local families.
“We’re not a healthy community unless we have affordable housing,” says the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Niagara Mark Carl, in an interview with ThoroldToday. “We wanted to build in Thorold. It really was a goal of ours. It’s been 17 years since the last build in Thorold.”
Habitat Niagara builds affordable homes, providing no down-payment, interest-free mortgages to qualifying families who would otherwise not be able to purchase their own homes.
The not-for-profit has the ambitious goal to build 30 homes in Niagara over the next five years.
Present at the groundbreaking ceremony on Monday morrning were a representative of MP Vance Badawey's office, Regional Councillor Tim Whalen, and Mayor Terry Ugulini.
“The contributions of Habitat for Humanity will transform the lives of many of our local families,” Mayor Ugulini told the gathered crowd. “We have seen how inflation, rising interest rates and the cost of housing has taken a tremendous toll on our residents. Affordable homeownership is essential for our residents as we thrive and grow."
Also present at the groundbreaking ceremony were two families who will be taking up residence in the homes once they’re finished. They were elated as the shovels hit the dirt.
Local developer, Cairnwood Homes is providing resources, knowledge and site servicing for the project. Last week, Cotton Construction excavated the land and poured the foundation for two of the homes.
The five homes in Thorold South are projected to be finished by May and Carl is already dreaming of more projects in Thorold.
“We would love to get more land in here,” he says. “Thorold is an important part of Niagara. To build affordable housing in Thorold is great.”
