Volunteers Unite to Complete Habitat for Humanity Home in Thunder Bay

A new home at 908 Alexandra St. in Thunder Bay is nearing completion, thanks to a collaborative effort from volunteers associated with the Thunder Bay Real Estate Board (TBREB) and Habitat for Humanity. On Wednesday, these volunteers came together to finalize details for the only Habitat project in the area this year. Todd Davis, chief executive officer of Thunder Bay’s Habitat for Humanity, indicated that despite some delays, the house is expected to be finished by the end of November 2023.

The residence will provide shelter for a single mother and her two children. Davis emphasized the importance of corporate engagement in Habitat’s initiatives. “Habitat is a social enterprise, so having businesses and organizations come out to help us build homes is very important to us,” he stated. He noted that volunteer involvement is crucial, as it fosters community spirit and helps provide safe, decent homes for families in need.

Davis also explained the role of the Habitat for Humanity Restore in funding home construction. “When you donate to the Restore, that money doesn’t necessarily go to the actual build,” he said. “Some of it does, but most goes to the operating costs.” This model allows financial donations to be directed to building projects, a practice that distinguishes Habitat from other charities, which often allocate a portion of donations to administrative expenses.

During the building process, local tradespeople contribute their skills voluntarily. “Sometimes we pay for the supplies, and they provide the service free, like electrical work,” Davis added. He noted that while some companies are compensated, many offer discounted rates. “It costs an awful lot to build a home nowadays, so any support that we can get, we definitely take happily. And we do issue tax receipts for donations.”

Community Spirit in Action

On the construction site, Karen Hill, vice-president of the Thunder Bay Real Estate Board, swapped her business attire for work boots and a hard hat. “We try to volunteer through the community as much as we can, and when this opportunity came up, we were super excited to make this part of what we call Realtors Care Week,” she said. Hill highlighted that realtors across Canada are participating in this initiative by volunteering in various community projects.

“This year, we chose the Habitat build,” Hill noted, emphasizing the significance of business involvement in addressing the ongoing housing crisis. “The more that we can give back to the community and all work together so that everybody has a home, maybe we can solve this housing crisis quicker if we all can donate a bit of our time and our energy and our skills.”

Looking ahead, Habitat for Humanity plans to construct a triplex at 830 Simpson St. next year, which will provide housing for three families. This project reflects an ongoing commitment to addressing housing needs in Thunder Bay, reinforcing the vital role of community support and volunteerism in making a difference.