(This article was published in 2018)
In August 2018 we handed over the keys to two houses to our properties in Yea, making it over 60 Habitat for Humanity Victoria (HFHV) houses that have welcomed new owners.
Our partner families’ Katie & Lacie and the Magee’s now have a place to call their own.
Single mum Katie and her six year old daughter Lacie had been living in a challenging environment for years. Katie was concerned for Lacie’s safety as their rental was so close to a popular bike path and walking trail. This made Katie anxious, due to having strangers so close to her young daughter. Juggling full time work and supporting her household on a single income only added to these living stresses, and made saving for a mortgage near impossible.
For Katie, her Habitat for Humanity home represents an opportunity to provide Lacie with her ‘forever home’. And what better place to call home than within the Yea estate, where Lacie's bedroom can be painted bright pink!
For the Magee’s, Eddy and Marie are looking forward to calling a place home. The Magee’s had come from broken marriages and a failed business venture which lost them all their assets just prior to retirement. The stress of rising rent and plateauing wages meant that the couple couldn’t foresee a way towards housing security.
‘We see Habitat for Humanity as offering us some security into the future and a relief from the constant stress we have come to live under. It’s an opportunity to contribute to the community and use our strengths to aid others’, says Eddy.
So on Thursday 2 August 2018 these two partner families received the keys to their forever homes to a room full of volunteers, sponsors and neighbours.
It was a fantastic celebration for HFHV – celebrating over 60 house handovers and 30 years of Habitat Victoria, whilst watching two families being provided with a pathway out of poverty.
The Yea Heights Estate Development is our current major affordable housing project. Currently we have built 13 houses and plan to build another 8, the project due for completion at the end of 2019.
Through shelter, we empower