Habitat for Humanity gifts single mother new home in Saanich
There was cause for celebration on Thursday afternoon, when another island family was handed the keys to a new affordable home thanks to Habitat for Humanity Victoria.
"It doesn't feel real yet," said the recipient, a single mother who CTV News is not identifying, when she received the keys to the home in Saanich.
"It feels a bit surreal, but [I'm] excited for the opportunity and to get into it and actually be a homeowner," she said.
The mother and her son were the guests of honour at the housewarming party on Thursday.
They're part of the newest Habitat for Humanity family.
"This is a program that puts money into families' pockets, not landlords' pockets, so it's a really good news story all around," said Scott Dutchak, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Victoria.
With the help of partnerships, fundraising and volunteerism, Habitat for Humanity Victoria helps families break into the heated housing market, with enough money leftover to live comfortably.
For this mother and son, it's a dream come true, and an experience the mother never expected.
"Especially in Victoria, it's out of control," she said.
"I wouldn't have been able to save up enough for a down payment here by any means."
The home is located in a complex that was built by Habitat for Humanity in 2010.
The family that previously lived in the unit was able to build up enough equity to put a down payment on a market home.
About six months ago, Habitat for Humanity bought the unit back from that family and fixed it up for the new owners.
"So it really allows people to move through the housing continuum, from renter to 'Habitat family' to full homeowner, which is incredibly encouraging," said Dutchak.
"We've done this many times before and each time it's special for sure," he said.
The Saanich mother and son are now part of a larger network and will help pitch in with volunteer hours to help make their dream a reality for others too.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
Have you been removed from your family doctor’s patient list for visiting an Ontario walk-in clinic?
Some Ontarians are expressing frustration after they said that they were removed from their family doctor’s patient list for visiting a walk-in clinic in a process being called “de-rostering.”