About 5,000 families in the Niagara Region live in housing that is not affordable, over-crowded, substandard, or a combination of the three. What is perhaps most alarming about the many statistics regarding housing is the number of children in the Niagara Region living below the poverty line, as defined by Statistics Canada Low-Income Cut Off (LICO) guidelines.
A shocking 41 per cent of Niagara’s low-income families have one or more children living in the home. At least one parent works full-time, all year long and yet, despite their best efforts, the family still lives in poverty. Many hardworking families are trapped in a cycle that is getting harder to break in our current economic climate. The lack of decent housing is a major contributor to this vicious cycle of poverty. It has been reported that in more than 45 per cent of Niagara households, a disproportionate amount of the family’s gross income is swallowed up by the cost of shelter.
As a result, many families are forced to make difficult daily choices. But choosing between life’s basic necessities – food or shelter, electricity or food, heat or a roof over your head – are not really choices. When housing is affordable, stable and decent, families feel safe and can begin to realize the true meaning of home.
Habitat for Humanity Niagara offers a permanent and sustainable partial solution to this “crisis” through our unique, affordable home-ownership program.
Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families and financed with affordable, non-interest-bearing loans. Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to the monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor - Sweat Equity - into building their Habitat house and volunteering in the community.
Please think of the families you know. If a family with children can benefit from homeownership, please ask them to apply.
Outreach Presentations
Do you work with low income families who are looking for affordable housing options? Interested in having a representative from Habitat facilitate an Information Session or workshop at your agency?
Staff or volunteers of your agency, community group, or faith organization may benefit from knowing more about the unique Habitat Homeownership Program to help identify families who may qualify. We can schedule a 1-hour presentation and Q&A session at your location for the people who support the families you serve, or for the families themselves.
For more information or to schedule a home ownership information session, contact us: familyselection@habitatniagara.on.ca