A house is not a home until you get a sense of belonging, caring and loving, according to a newly moved-in Richmond family.
Noor Zaheer’s family is one of four families who recently received keys to their new Richmond home from Habitat for Humanity, an international non-profit organization.
Zaheer described the moment he received the keys as “one of the best days” of his family’s life.
“Those keys are the keys to my family’s happiness and dreams,” said Zaheer, adding he is thankful for having a place that is safe to live in as his home.
“A house turns into a home when we see that there are some people who care about us and our family and understand the tough challenges that we are going through.”
He added living in Richmond will give his family an opportunity to meet new friends and explore the city more.
“Of course, moving to Richmond will provide us with a unique opportunity to make some new friends and interact with people who immigrated from different parts of the world with rich culture and adopt new values. We will be looking forward to exploring any opportunities through which we would be able to contribute in providing service to the people in our community.”
Habitat for Humanity has been around since the 1970s and works in 100 countries around the world to help move families out of the poverty cycle and into safe, stable and affordable homes.
Stephani Baker, vice-president of construction for Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver, said it’s always an emotional moment when they see families move into the homes.
“This is like our Super Bowl,” said Baker, adding the look of “relief and sense of calm” always appears on the families’ faces when they get the keys to their home.
“It is life altering for the family and it’s very emotional for me and all the staff involved.”
In 2012, Habitat for Humanity purchased a plot of land from BC Housing when they couldn’t rebuild the substance treatment centre that was on it at the time.
In total, six single-family homes with secondary suites were built on the land. Habitat for Humanity received initial approval in 2015 from the City of Richmond and started the project in 2017.
Five families received their keys in 2019 with four more families having received theirs this month.
Baker told the Richmond News Habitat for Humanity is not offering “free houses” to families. Rather, it is a 21-year lease to support low- to middle-income families who don’t qualify for a traditional mortgage.
The families’ rent is up to 30 per cent of their monthly family income, with the majority of these funds put in a savings account for the family.
“Families can find relief knowing that they can pay for their shelter and then make financial decisions with the rest of their income and that allows them to save for their future or their kids’ future,” said Baker.
“When they feel they are financially stable and are able to move into a traditional mortgage market, they would get a large portion of the funds they paid monthly back as cash to use as a down payment in the regular housing market.”
Families are selected based on specific requirements and must also commit to 500 hours of volunteer time in helping build their own, or their neighbour’s, home before receiving their keys.
