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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, April 8, 2010 · 8 Join the Fight! Relay with us and Make Cancer History! June 4th - 5th , 2010 - 7:00 p.m. ­ 7:00 a.m. - Appleby College Register online at www.relayforlife.ca/Oakville Habitat for Humanity Halton to build two homes in Oakville By Carlie Oreskovich SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Relay For Life is an opportunity to get together with family and friends and celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost to cancer, and fight back in the hope of finding a cure for this terrible disease. Walk with us in this inspirational 12-hour overnight event as we come together and fight to make cancer history. How does it work? Register a team, recruit 10 people to join your team, fundraise as a team or individually to raise your $1000 team minimum ($100 each). Please note we have moved - Canadian Cancer Society Oakville 760 Pacific Rd. Unit 7, Oakville, L6L 6M5 Phone:(905) 845-5231 2010 Event Sponsor Oakville Store Owner' Oakville Store Owner Supporting Sponsors Habitat for Humanity Halton will be building its first homes in Oakville this year. After 10 years of building in the region, the faith-based organization with a world-wide presence, will be building two homes on a large property on Elmwood Road at Margaret Street. Construction is to begin in May and the project is to be completed by October, when the two families, which have already been selected, will move in. This venture was made possible after the property west of Dorval was declared surplus by the Town in 2008. It was later divided into two lots and then Habitat Halton, according to its annual report, "unleashed the power of Habitat volunteers" who wrote letters, e-mails and made phone calls to convince councillors and the mayor to sell the properties to them. In addition to the Oakville development, the Habitat Halton organization recently purchased 3.3 acres of Burlington property at 1401 Appleby Line from Paletta International Corporation, which will be developed for mixed use, up to 250 condominiums and townhouse units, some of which will be dedicated to middle-income families. The Habitat housing program, which began 25 years ago, is unique in building affordable homes that involve the potential homeowner family and volunteers in the construction of their own home. By arranging a long-term, nointerest loan, Habitat makes it possible for a family with marginal means, to get a "hand up, not a hand out." In the decade it has been operating in this area, Habitat has built 10 houses, starting with a four-bedroom house for a family of seven on Plains Road in Burlington, a three-bedroom house for a family of five on Danforth Avenue in Burlington, two homes in Georgetown, one in Acton, two more in Burlington and its first prefabricated house using "green" materials made with soy products rather than petroleum products. This home had been put up as a demonstration home at the Royal Winter Fair and after the fair it was split and trucked to a build site in Acton. Speaking at a volunteer information meeting last week at Munn's United Church on Dundas Street, Anne Swarbrick, Habitat Halton executive director, said that although Halton is one of the most affluent communities in Canada, 8.5 per cent of the people in the region live below the poverty level. "And when I mention that 9.7 percent of the people in Oakville live below the poverty line, their jaws drop," she said. The poverty line is taken to refer to a family of four living on an annual income of less than $41,000 and covers about 15,000 families in Oakville. As well, she noted that each year 1,200 Halton residents become homeless due to the lack of affordable housing in this area. Most of those attending the information meeting had already worked on projects. Harley Ranson, 69, helped build a duplex in Burlington Artist's sketch of house on Elmwood Road and a home in Georgetown. A retired aviation engineer who worked for SPAR Aerospace in Mississauga, Ranson says he gets rewards in many ways. "Basically helping others and seeing their happiness when they accept their homes in the fall. Also, happiness comes with the camaraderie with other workers." He has done everything from building walls and decking, to flooring and landscaping. "It is such a beautiful experience and the ultimate high point when you see that all the work has paid off when the families move in," said Ranson. Douglas Robertson, 55, is a vice president with Polaris Reality in Mississauga. He has worked on two houses as a crew leader for eight to 12 people, framing or putting up drywall. He says he gets personal satisfaction in assisting people who could not afford to own a home. Although basically a Christian organization, Robertson said that is not a big part of the operation. Aaron Brox, a relationship manager with First Canadian Title, told the audience that Habitat believes everybody has a right to a home, a place to live in human dignity and that all faiths can work in partnership. "We believe the power of we is greater than the power of one," he said. Habitat requirements stipulate that the future owner must have spent a minimum of two years in Halton and they have to put in at least 500 hours of "sweat equity." Brox says the power of having a home goes far beyond the benefit of shelter. "It helps build stronger, healthier families and communities. It is far cheaper to put people into housing than it is to provide crises housing when there is a problem." Andrew Rorie is a 23-year-old licenced plumber. He has just received his licence to work across Canada and he feels that he wants to give back some of his good fortune to others. "I can use the skills I have to do some good, not just to work for people in million dollar houses. It is not all about money. I'd like to see my skill used for people who can benefit from it," he said. Deanna Smuk, volunteer co-ordinator, says having a construction background is not necessary. "We're looking for anyone with a desire to help. We have many different opportunities available. For example, Robyn Michell, an educational assistant at Loyola High School says she "can swing a hammer" if need be, but is ready for anything. Interested volunteers should contact Habitat for Humanity Halton at 905-637-4446 or visit www.habitathalton.ca.