Habitat Hamilton hands over the keys (and affordable mortgage) to the Amnual family

(January 18, 2019 – Hamilton, ON) – Despite Hamilton’s affordable housing crisis, the City has reason to celebrate as first-time homeowners, the Amnual’s, rejoice in the completion of their new home. Habitat for Humanity Hamilton—in partnership with its supporters—has completed the construction of its “Steel City Home Build,” located on Wilson Street in the heart of Hamilton. On Saturday, January 19th, Habitat Hamilton will host a Home Sale Celebration to help welcome the Amnual family to their new home. Not only will the Amnual’s receive the keys to their new home, but they’ll also receive an affordable, geared-to-income and interest-free mortgage.

Habitat Hamilton broke ground on the pilot project last year, overseeing the effectiveness of steel-intensive prefabrication for quick and efficient home construction. Spearheaded by title home build partner ArcelorMittal Dofasco, which provided the steel, the build gained immense support from several partners, including but not limited to: Interbuild Ltd, E.S. Fox Ltd, Bailey Metal Products Ltd, Agway Metals, John Kenyon Ltd, Marini and Sons Construction Ltd, Triple Crown Enterprises Ltd, Barclay Construction Group Inc., and PW Woodworking.

Beyond corporate partnerships, Habitat Hamilton also collaborated with the Hamilton Community Land Trust, utilizing land originally donated to the trust by the City of Hamilton. Habitat Hamilton also partnered with both the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) and the Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB), delivering experiential learning opportunities to secondary students on the build site, through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP).

“The Amnual family has overcome tremendous adversity, and we are thrilled to partner with them on this innovative and unique home build. This weekend, we celebrate handing over the keys to this wonderful family, marking the completion of an amazing opportunity to build with steel. Manaye, Fikirte, and their two daughters are an incredible example of perseverance, gratitude and positivity. Habitat Hamilton is excited to see the Amnual’s thrive in their new home, and we look forward to helping more families in our city find strength and stability through housing,” says Sean Ferris, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Hamilton.

“We appreciate the value of hard work and perseverance and congratulate the Amnual family and Habitat for Humanity Hamilton on making the dream of home-ownership a reality for another Hamilton family. This home represents a new approach for Habitat for Humanity Hamilton and is the result of innovation and commitment from many, including our steelmakers at Dofasco and our valued customers that worked so hard to make this made-in-Hamilton steel intensive home a reality. We are so proud that our employees and our steel contributed to a much faster build, less waste and a home that will stand the test of time for Manaye and Fikirte and their children,” says Lina Stogiannis, Chair, Corporate Community Investment Fund, ArcelorMittal Dofasco.

“Habitat Hamilton’s Board of Directors is excited to hand over the keys of the Steel City Home Build to the Amnual family. With the celebration of this milestone, we’re eagerly anticipating future builds and plan to break ground on multiple home builds in Hamilton this year. Development on a Waterdown triplex will begin this spring, followed by three single unit homes in the Hamilton beach community, Hamilton’s downtown core and in Dunnville (in partnership with the Haldimand County Chapter). We are inspired by families like the Amnual’s and look forward to furthering our impact in Hamilton,” states Vice-Chair of Habitat Hamilton’s Board of Directors, Cherie Somerville.

Habitat Hamilton is requesting support from the community for upcoming home builds, including pro-bono expertise, donated materials and monetary contributions. To learn more about how you can support, please contact Habitat Hamilton directly.

Members of the media and the general public are invited to attend the Home Sale Celebration. For more information, and to RSVP, please visit our Eventbrite page: https://bit.ly/2ssYNpI

About Habitat for Humanity Hamilton:

Founded in 1991, Habitat for Humanity Hamilton is an independent, not-for-profit housing program that builds strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. Habitat Hamilton has accommodated 26 Habitat homeowners (including the Amnual’s) locally since its incorporation and is one of Habitat Canada’s fastest growing affiliates, with several builds and developments forthcoming. For more information, please visit habitathamilton.ca.

For more information please contact:

Sean Ferris, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity Hamilton

Phone: 905-560-6707 ext. 108

Email: sean@habitathamilton.ca

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