Local Veterans and dignitaries to come together to build homes with Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa

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OTTAWA, Oct. 30, 2018 /CNW/ – Canadian veterans will be strapping on their tool belts and hard hats on Thursday, November 1^st to lend a hand for the day building homes on Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa’s (Habitat GO)development in Orléans. Sponsored by Lockheed Martin Canada, the second annual Veteran Build Day is a part of Habitat GO’s Military Build program, which takes place throughout the month of November.

Habitat GO’s Military Build program encourages Canadian veterans, active duty military members and reserve members volunteer and share in a unique experience while helping a local family find strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable home ownership.

“Everyone deserves a safe, decent and affordable home. Habitat for Humanity’s unique home ownership model works because families pay an affordable, zero-interest mortgage geared to their income,” says Alexis Ashworth, Habitat GO CEO. “Veteran and Military Build days are an important part of building a sense of community while raising awareness for the Habitat home ownership program.” Habitat GO is looking to serve military or veteran families in 2019, and recently put out a call for applications to their home ownership program.

“It is inspiring to see the incredible work being done by Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa, particularly with their Military Build program. Canada’s Veterans served their country proudly in uniform, and I’m not surprised to see them out of uniform now, serving their communities and helping these families. Every Canadian deserves a home that is safe and affordable, and this program does just that,” states the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs.

Lieutenant-General (ret’d) Honourable Andrew Leslie, the MP for Ottawa-Orléans, Mayor Jim Watson, and retired City Councillor for Orleans Bob Monette, will join the Veteran Build Day.

“Safe and affordable housing is a basic support of a growing community, which is why Orléans is enormously grateful for programs like Habitat GO’s Military Build program. Not only do these Veteran and Military Build days help ensure that everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home, it’s also a great occasion that recognizes those who served our country and sacrificed for it. I am proud to be a part of a community who come together to support veterans and those who serve,” states Lieutenant-General (ret’d) Honourable Andrew Leslie, MP, Orléans

This year’s team will assist with the construction of the Phase II homes at Habitat GO’s Leacross Landing site. The Orléans development is Habitat GO’s largest undertaking to date, and will consist of 16 townhomes upon its completion in 2019.

The first-ever Veteran Build Day was held in November 2017 and attracted more than 25 veterans and active-duty military to help build four homes. Habitat GO is also a proud partner of Wounded Warriors Canada, a national mental health charity whose mission is to honour and support our ill and injured Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans, First Responders and their families.

What: Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa Veteran Build Day
When: Thursday, November 1, 2018
Where: 6208 Jeanne d’Arc Blvd.

In Attendance:

• Lieutenant-General (ret’d) Honourable Andrew Leslie, MP, Orléans
• Mayor Jim Watson
• Bob Monette, Retired City Councillor for Orléans
• Matthew Luloff, Concillor-Elect, Orléans
• Alexis Ashworth, CEO, Habitat GO
• Janice Menezes, CFO, Lockheed Martin Canada
• Darcy Elder, Director of Development, Wounded Warriors Canada
• Canadian Military Veterans and Active Duty Military Members

About Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa

With the help of volunteers and Habitat homeowners, Habitat for Humanity builds safe, decent and affordable homes, including single-family and multi-unit houses. Habitat has been building homes in Ottawa since 1993, and has served 76 local families over the last 25 years.

Habitat does not give away free homes — the families who partner with us pay an interest-free mortgage geared to their income and volunteer 500 hours with our organization. As Habitat homeowners pay off their mortgage, the funds are reinvested into a revolving fund, which we then use to build more homes for more families in the community. Our model of affordable homeownership bridges a gap for low-income working families by providing them with the opportunity to purchase their own Habitat home and build a better future for their family.