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
'Oh my God, you're my brother': Man in his 70s discovers 6 unknown siblings
After receiving a DNA kit one Christmas from his son-in-law, Hugh McCormick soon discovered that he had six unknown siblings, with whom he shared the same birth parents.
No refund for travellers who cancelled flight already scrapped by airline: regulator
Four years on, the controversy over whether airlines owed refunds to passengers after cancelling hundreds of thousands of flights during the pandemic continues to simmer, aggravated by a sluggish, opaque complaints process.
Just how bad are ultraprocessed foods? Here are 5 things to know
Many foods fall under the category of ultraprocessed foods, depending on their exact ingredients. This type of food has been studied a lot lately, and the results aren’t great.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Rates of cancer declining in Canada, but more work needed to save lives: projections
A new study projecting declining rates of cancer cases and deaths in Canada demonstrates the success of prevention and early detection programs, but also highlights areas where more work is needed to save and prolong lives, researchers say.
DEVELOPING Trump trial arrives at a pivotal moment: Star witness Michael Cohen is poised to take the stand
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial is set to take the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Canucks hold off Oilers for 4-3 win in Game 3
Brock Boeser had two goals and an assist, and the Vancouver Canucks hung on for a 4-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of their second-round Stanley Cup playoff series.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
Man fatally 'slashed in the neck' in downtown Toronto, suspect outstanding
Police are searching for a male suspect after a man was “slashed in neck” on Sunday morning in downtown Toronto and died.