Skip to content

Helping hand for Habitat

Weed whacking, fence staining and pressure washing - all tasks completed by nearly 100 Habitat for Humanity volunteers last weekend at 8745 Government St. The address is the site of the organization's townhouse build that began in 1999.

Weed whacking, fence staining and pressure washing - all tasks completed by nearly 100 Habitat for Humanity volunteers last weekend at 8745 Government St.

The address is the site of the organization's townhouse build that began in 1999. The last row of homes of the six-phase project wrapped up in June 2013. The clean-up was scheduled because the lot will soon be handed over to a strata council.

"We wanted to make sure everything was clean, that the soil was fresh, so that when council takes possession, they can start with a clean slate," said Tim Clark, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver.

No one who came out was afraid to get his or her hands a little dirty. Speckled in paint from head to toe, you would never know Genworth Canada's Sachin Varma wore a suit every day as an account manager. He called the experience - his fifth - very rewarding.

"We've had people come up to us telling us how grateful they are. It's huge deal to get those families out of bad home situations," he said.

Meanwhile, Carl Eden has been lending a hand for more than 20 years and said "it was something to do to help people out" after retiring from the aviation industry.  

Trish Fodor and Shawn Cantwell - complete strangers - were first-time volunteers and were partnered up to fix some stairs and build a fence.

"We've been a great team so far," Fodor said and Cantwell said there was never a butting of the heads.

Habitat for Humanity works on a case-by-case basis. Families applying for a home must have a combined household income between $35,000 and $60,000. It is also has to be determined the living situation is poor due to factors like an unsafe neighbourhood. Recipients also have to complete 500 volunteer hours before they can move in.

"It's a very strict screening process, but it works," said Clark. "We've had families live here for 15 or 16 years. For some, it's their permanent home. For others, they may decide to buy from the market."

Clark said handing over the keys to a new family always brings a smile to her face.

"They no longer have to worry about choosing to pay their hydro bill over their grocery bill. Simple as that."

For more information, visit www.habitatgv.ca.