A hammer drill bites its way into concrete. A circular saw squeals. Hammers pound. And four lanes of traffic roar along McKenzie Avenue past the construction site of Habitat for Humanity Victoria’s latest project on Cedar Hill Cross Road.
By September 2015, the construction noise will be replaced by the sounds of children playing as four new families get a hand up from the non-profit organization, whose mission is to promote homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty.
Like all Habitat projects, this four-plex is being built with the help of the community and volunteers.
On a recent chilly December morning, students in Camosun College’s carpentry foundation program were building the foundation of what will be four, three-bedroom, two-level townhomes worth about $385,000.
“It’s a good cause because it helps low-income families get into houses they probably couldn’t afford,” said Mathew Emard, 18. “It feels good to help the community help families out because I’ve been in that situation. So it’s nice to give back. And it’s a good start for these families.”
Hannah Leslie, who attends both Belmont Secondary and Camosun, was feeding rebar through a foundation wall.
“It’s nice to see your work go to something. We’re usually just building sheds and taking them down,” the 17-year-old said. “It’s going to be cool to be able to drive by and say, ‘I helped build that.’ ”
Working on the Habitat for Humanity project is even more special at Christmas time, she said. “It helps. Everyone tries to be a better person at Christmas and help out, but this really does help families.”
Warren Finnie, tool belt slung around his waist, was looking forward to pouring concrete, which doesn’t usually happen in a classroom.
“This is a fantastic project,” said Finnie, 31. “For me, it’s just about getting the work experience and the learning. It’s useful on the job site.”
And the fact he’s donating his labour for Habitat for Humanity is icing on the cake, he said.
The four-plex is being built on land purchased from the District of Saanich for $157,000, said Yolanda Meijer, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Victoria.
The students are building the foundation and footing and will do the framing in February.
“It’s great work experience for them. They are very, very green. They’ve never done this before. Basically, it’s a living classroom for them,” Meijer said. “For us, the win is we get those services donated. And for them, it’s not just the experience, but they know they built a Habitat home.”
Four families have already been chosen to buy the new units. To qualify, families must have young children living in the home.
“The younger, the better,” Meijer said.
“What studies have shown is that children benefit greatly in terms of overall health and academic performance when they have the security of connecting with the community and staying in the same home.”
Families must also earn between $34,000 and $59,000 annually and must put in 500 hours of volunteer “sweat equity.”
A common misconception is that Habitat gives families homes for free, Meijer said. But these families buy their homes like everybody else.
“This is not a charity for them. What makes them affordable is that Habitat holds the mortgage and we charge no interest.”
The organization sits down with family members each year to see how they are doing financially.
Mortgage and property tax payments are never more than 30 per cent of household income.
“If you combine no down payment, with zero interest, and no more than 30 per cent of your household income, that’s what makes it affordable,” Meijer said.
Habitat for Humanity Victoria has built 18 homes in the area and is looking for its next project, she said.
