Two Edmonton families are now proud homeowners, thanks to the efforts of Habitat for Humanity.
The non-profit organization, which aims to provide affordable housing for low-income families, handed over the keys to two newly built homes in the city’s northeast on Saturday.
The first home was given to the Alhaj family, who have been living in a cramped apartment for the past five years. The family of six, originally from Syria, expressed their gratitude and excitement for their new home.
“We are so grateful to Habitat for Humanity for giving us this opportunity to have a safe and stable home for our children,” said father, Ahmad Alhaj.
The second home was given to the Kaur family, who have been living in a basement suite for the past eight years. The family of five, originally from India, were overjoyed to finally have a place to call their own.
“We are so happy and thankful to Habitat for Humanity for making our dream of owning a home a reality,” said mother, Harpreet Kaur.
Both families were chosen by Habitat for Humanity based on their need for affordable housing and their ability to pay a mortgage. They also had to complete 500 hours of volunteer work, known as “sweat equity,” to help build their own homes and those of other families in the program.
The homes were built with the help of volunteers and donations from the community. The Alhaj and Kaur families will now pay an interest-free mortgage to Habitat for Humanity, with the payments going towards building more homes for other families in need.
Habitat for Humanity has been providing affordable housing in Edmonton for over 25 years, with the help of volunteers and donations. The organization has built over 600 homes in the city, providing a safe and stable living environment for families in need.
The handover ceremony was attended by representatives from Habitat for Humanity, as well as local politicians and community members. The families were welcomed into their new homes with a traditional housewarming ceremony, where they were presented with gifts and blessings.
The Alhaj and Kaur families expressed their gratitude to everyone involved in making their dream of homeownership a reality. They also shared their excitement for the future, knowing that they now have a place to call home.
Habitat for Humanity continues to work towards their goal of providing affordable housing for all, and these two families are just a small example of the positive impact they have on the community.
