News Story March 31, 2009

MOM AND KIDS POUR SWEAT EQUITY INTO THEIR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HOME

Another struggling family has a new home, this time in Ladysmith, thanks to efforts of the mid-Vancouver Island branch of Habitat for Humanity.

Terea Battle, a single working mother of two children (Douglas and Melissa), was handed the keys to her new house on Strathcona Road in Ladysmith during a well-attended ceremony Monday to celebrate Habitat's first completed project in the town. Habitat for Humany, which builds affordable homes for disadvantaged families, has built six homes in Nanaimo since 1999, and is set to begin construction of a duplex in central Nanaimo next month.

"This is a life-changing event for us and wereally appreciate how this community pulled together to help my family build this home," Battle said in front of her new home with daugther Melissa. "It has been an amazing and uplifting experience for us and we find it difficult to express how thankful we are."

Once built, the home is sold to a chosen family for whatever costs in land and material that had to be bought, with an interest-free mortgage. The chosen families must also provide 500 hours of labour.

Max Stocker, president of Habitat's mid-Island branch, said construction of the home was only possible due to the "generosity displayed by the volunteers and the donors on the B.C. Housing and the Real Estate Foundation of B.C., which covered many of the building costs.

Ladysmith Mayor Rob Hutchins said he's proud his town pulled together and "stepped up to the plate" to help Habitat and the Battles.

"This shows Ladysmith cares and many of our contractors and other businesses helped make this happen by offering material and their expertise," he said. "The town will be making an announcement on another affordable housing project in Ladysmith very soon and we hope the community is just as supportive of that one as well."

Teresa Pring, executive director of Habitat's mid-Island branch, said the organization received a $150,000 donation to build an Oceanside home last year and are searching for a site.

Robert Barron, Daily News