I still remember my first interaction with Habitat for Humanity. Back when I first started as editor in 2003, I was covering Gibsons council and also covered a Sunshine Coast Regional District meeting - all in the same week. Ed Hawkins, then chair of Habitat, made presentations to both governments. The passion and fire that Ed had in his eyes was clearly evident and I pledged in my mind and my heart that I would do whatever I could to support Habitat and its many endeavours.
Flash forward to 2011 and it's amazing to see the work that Habitat has done in this community. I had the pleasure of attending the Habitat/Gibsons Public Art Gallery Visions of Home Gala last Friday night. Thousands of dollars were raised and the feelings in the room were of pride and accomplishment. Seeing the arts community come together to promote and support such a wonderful cause was pretty special.
Yes, Habitat has come a long way in seven years, but there is still much work to be done, which is why I was curious to see the SCRD is looking at creating an affordable housing committee, which in my mind duplicates something that is already working.
Are we doing everything right? No, but Habitat is doing their best to address the affordable housing problem in a hands-on way. Habitat has built one home in Gibsons with the co-operation and leadership of Mayor Barry Janyk and Gibsons council and two homes in Sechelt with the co-operation of Sechelt council and staff.
Habitat is currently working on an ambitious project in Wilson Creek to provide 14 homes, and although it has struggled to overcome a number of obstacles related to access, significant progress is now being made as they work together to provide affordable housing for our community.
Habitat has a goal to house its first two families at this site in June and two more by Christmas. To achieve these goals, Habitat needs assistance, and I would hope that would also come from the SCRD.
The working board of Habitat is made up of volunteers. It is always challenged to find more volunteers and its resources are frequently stretched thin.
In the seven years Habitat for Humanity has been around, they have built truly affordable homes that were completed with the co-operation of the whole Sunshine Coast. Local individuals, contractors and corporations assisted with amazing hours of work and it has taken a fair amount of time to get the basics in place, but now that has happened, and Habitat is making increasing gains in its ability to progress more quickly.
The SCRD will certainly find it difficult (and expensive) to supply all the needs out there and if they feel they need a committee to work on this commendable project regarding the needfor affordable housing for our community then let me suggest that Habitat needs the SCRD working with them on their next 14 homes so Habitat can build them a lot faster.
I would suggest to the SCRD that they follow Habitat's model and give them a hand up rather then just strike a new committee. When it comes to deliverables, Habitat is leading the way.
