Habitat PKR Welcomes Newest Homeowner Family in Lindsay
A local family in Lindsay now has a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home thanks to Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region (Habitat PKR), local volunteers, and community partners. On Sunday, April 21, 2024, Habitat homeowners Brittany, Jason and their two children were joined by friends, family and supporters at a housewarming celebration that took place at their new home in Lindsay.
Like many families in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Brittany and Jason faced barriers to homeownership prior to partnering with Habitat PKR.
It was hard to imagine how we could ever become homeowners due to the risinginterest rates and the insane average cost of a house in Lindsay,” says Brittany. “But we were still determined to make our dream of homeownership a reality, no matter how long it took.
Families qualify for Habitat PKRs Homeownership Program based on their need for affordable housing, a willingness to partner, and the ability to take on the responsibilities of homeownership. All partner families are required to contribute 500 volunteer hours, which Brittany and Jason completed working alongside staff and volunteers at the Habitat ReStore.
“We partner with families to help them buy their own home through a unique affordable homeownership solution. With skyrocketing rental rates and the cost of housing at an all time high, it is not surprising that many families are spending close to 50% of their income on housing,” says Susan Zambonin, CEO of Habitat PKR. “The Habitat model works to empower partner families through a no-down payment, geared to income mortgage model providing them with financial stability and the opportunity to make forward-looking choices.”
Habitat PKR was able to help Brittany and Jason through Habitat’s unique buy-back program. This sustainable program provides Habitat PKR with the option to repurchase a Habitat home from a family when they are ready to transition into market homeownership or move on to other meaningful life goals. The home is then renovated, if necessary, and used to provide a hand-up to another family.
This Habitat home was built in 2019 with the support of volunteers, community partners, the Lindsay ReStore, and the City of Kawartha Lakes who donated the parcel of land which now houses five Habitat homes.
Thanks to a grant from the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada, support from volunteers, and Home Building partner Alf Curtis Home Improvements, the preexisting home was able to be renovated and refreshed before Brittany, Jason, and their two children moved in.
“There is so much pride in becoming a homeowner – it is an investment goal we have always worked hard towards. A fresh start like this is exactly what our family needs – we can’t wait to begin this new chapter together” says Brittany.
Read Brittany & Jason’s Full Story to Affordable Homeownership here.
