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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario Celebrates Groundbreaking Ceremony in Tillsonburg 

TILLSONBURG, ON – December 1, 2022 – Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario is excited to announce a Groundbreaking Ceremony for future Habitat homeowner, Melissa, and her family in Oxford County. This Habitat home is built in partnership with Hayhoe Homes, the Town of Tillsonburg, Oxford County and the Government of Canada. Join in the celebration by watching virtually on the live stream on Habitat Heartland Ontario’s Facebook page or attending the ceremony at 54 Braun Street, Tillsonburg, on December 1, 2022, at 11:00 AM.  

“The profound need for affordable housing can’t be addressed by one agency alone: Habitat for Humanity provides a tremendous service in coordinating community efforts and funding so that families can fulfill their dream of living in their own home. Congratulations to Melissa and her daughter! Their story offers hope to others and shows why we must continue to work towards safe, affordable housing for all.” Rebecca Smith, Manager, Housing Development, Oxford County

A new survey released November 10, 2022, by Habitat for Humanity Canada finds Canadians rank affordable housing as the third most important issue facing Canada today, behind inflation and healthcare. The Habitat for Humanity Canada Affordable Housing Survey, which measured the perceptions of Canadians, also sheds light on growing concerns and barriers to homeownership, including lack of housing supply, increased cost of living, discrimination, NIMBY (Not in My Backyard) sentiment and more.

“Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund, we are not only providing affordable housing to families across Canada but we’re also working hard to strengthen our communities. Today’s announcement will help a family in Tillsonburg to achieve their dream of owning a home that will enable them to thrive. This is our government’s National Housing Strategy at work.” – The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion. 

Mayor Deb Gilvesy says, “The Town of Tillsonburg is pleased to welcome Habitat for Humanity to our community. The need for affordable housing in our area has never been greater, and I want to thank Hayhoe Homes, Habitat for Humanity, the County of Oxford and the Government of Canada for partnering with us to help meet that challenge.”

Future Tillsonburg homeowner, Melissa shares her story: “I only have one question for you. How would you like to be a Habitat for Humanity homeowner?” I will remember these words for the rest of my life. These are the words that changed the cards I had been dealt and gave my tiny family the opportunity for stability. Finally, the one thing I have longed for so badly in my life – stability. The opportunity for affordable home ownership was out of my reach, but Habitat for Humanity did the unthinkable for us – they are making it happen. There will never be enough words to show my gratitude. I can barely think about walking through the doors of a home that I own, where no one else can tell us we have to leave, without my eyes welling with tears. All I have ever wanted for Brooklynn is for her not to feel the same way I did as a child. For her to feel at home, stable, and secure. For her to know that she can ALWAYS come home – and now for the first time, I KNOW I will be able to provide that for her. 

Melissa looks forward to raising her daughter in a safe, decent, affordable home in Tillsonburg. 

“We are thrilled to be breaking ground in partnership with Hayhoe Homes and Oxford County,” said Alan MacKinnon, acting CEO of Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario. “Together, we are building a home and changing lives through much-needed affordable homeownership opportunities in the region. We want to thank the community of Tillsonburg for rallying behind this build. This hand-up for Melissa’s family wouldn’t be possible without the support of our partners. Thanks to all our supporters for helping Melissa’s family build a better future.”

David Looby, Real Estate Analyst for Hayhoe Homes said, "Hayhoe is excited to be celebrating the ground breaking ceremony with Habitat for Humanity, signaling the start of construction on a high quality, affordable home for a family in the local community of Tillsonburg!”

Habitat Heartland is looking for more community members to volunteer to help build Melissa’s home. Those interested in volunteering can contact the Habitat Heartland Volunteer Coordinator for more information at volunteer@Habitat4Home.ca. 

About Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario: 

Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario is a non-profit, non-denominational housing organization. We welcome partners without discrimination to help us build simple, decent, affordable homes for lower-income families. 100% of the revenue from our nine ReStores supports the administrative costs of Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario. With the help of volunteers, donors, and community partners, we have built 113 homes and counting in 6 counties, creating strength stability and independence for the people we serve. To learn more visit: www.habitat4home.ca. 

About Hayhoe Homes:  

Hayhoe Homes builds new homes with quality craftsmanship, exceptional design, and impeccable service in St. Thomas and Tillsonburg, and the surrounding area. With more than forty years of experience and a comprehensive sales and service program, we take the stress out of building a new home so the buyer can enjoy the process of creating a place to match their lifestyle. Hayhoe Homes stands behind every home built, helping people fall in love with their new homes. To learn more visit: www.hayhoehomes.com. 

About the Town of Tillsonburg:

Located 90 minutes west of the Toronto area, Tillsonburg offers companies a strategic location in Ontario’s agriculture and manufacturing heartland. With low business and development costs, progressive policies and a high-speed fibre optic network, Tillsonburg is home to more than 600 regional, national and international companies. To find out more about Tillsonburg, visit www.tillsonburg.ca. 

About Oxford County:

Located in the heart of southwestern Ontario at the crossroads of Highways 401 and 403, Oxford County has a population of approximately 125,000 people across eight area municipalities that are “growing stronger together.” As a partnership-oriented, two-tier municipal government, Oxford County is emerging as a leader in sustainable growth through the Future Oxford Community Sustainability Plan and County Council’s commitment to achieving 100% renewable energy, becoming a zero waste community and working towards zero poverty. Situated in one of Ontario’s richest areas for farmland, agriculture is a key industry that is driving innovation in sustainable industries and diversifying the local economy. Oxford County offers a thriving local arts, culture and culinary community, as well as conservation parks, natural areas and more than 100 kilometres of scenic trails. The Oxford County Administration Building is located in Woodstock, Ontario. Visit www.oxfordcounty.ca or follow our social media sites at www.oxfordcounty.ca/social. Oxford County’s Strategic Plan is at oxfordcounty.ca/strategicplan.

Contacts: 

Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario – Al MacKinnon, CEO amackinnon@habitat4home.ca (519) 455-6623 x222

Donnie Baker, Marketing Lead - 519 455 6623 ext. 228 – marketing@habitat4home.ca