On May 25th, Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga welcomed supporters and members of the public to 92 Mill Street West and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 197 for a very special announcement. Those in attendance gathered to celebrate the official dedication of the Bett-Knowlton build project, signifying the completion of construction on a new home for a very special family. Through a new partnership, Habitat HM and Community Living North Halton teamed up to build a space for three men on the autism spectrum. This home was designed for the men and their care workers to live together in comfort, security, and accessibility.
“Providing affordable opportunities for stable housing for families is a key priority of our government under the National Housing Strategy. Recognizing that today’s families are formed in many ways, the Bett-Knowlton build is a fantastic example of the innovation this Strategy aims to encourage. As a representative of an area with a high cost of living, this strategy provides a framework that gives everyone in our community a fair chance to find affordable housing. Congratulations to Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga and Community Living North Halton for the partnership that will provide such a meaningful addition to our community.”
– John Oliver, MP, Oakville
Keys to the property were handed over to Habitat’s partner, Community Living North Halton, during the ceremony. Oakville MP John Oliver, Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette, and many others were in attendance to celebrate this momentous occasion.
This dedication ceremony is special. It is the culmination of the combined efforts of Habitat Halton-Mississauga and Community Living North Halton, our partners in government, Home Sponsor Whirlpool Canada, build sponsors, and supporters living in the community. For our affiliate, it is the first project of its kind. Never before have we partnered with another organization to build a home for people with special needs. It represents a shift in our organization’s definition of family and opens the door for more projects like it in the future.
“It’s important that communities offer all types of accommodation, and I am pleased with Habitat’s work to develop affordable housing. As a Council, we work to address our local needs and have taken the position of waiving development charges for these types of projects.”
– Rick Bonnette, Mayor, Halton Hills
Most importantly, this event is a celebration of the coming together of three individuals to create a new family. Deon, Nelson and Craig will be living in a communal space retrofitted for their accessibility needs. This new home will allow them to rely on each other for structure, stability, and support.
“Community Living North Halton is so grateful for the partnership we have with Habitat. They have been an absolute pleasure to work with, so accommodating and professional. This home has been designed specifically for these three men and is the first time have they lived in a home built with their own unique needs in mind. I want to say a huge thank you to Habitat, the many volunteers that have worked on the project and to the sponsors and donors that made this happen. We are also very grateful to the Acton community who have welcomed these men with open arms.”
– Greg Edmiston, Executive Director, Community Living North Halton
Thanks to our partners at CLNH, we are helping more people in more ways than ever before. Not only this family, but the many families of all shapes and sizes set to follow in the Bett-Knowlton family’s footsteps.
“Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga’s vision is for everyone to have a safe and decent place to call their own. The Bett-Knowlton build project exemplifies this, by serving a new portion of the population thanks to our partnership with Community Living. We are so happy to have the opportunity to help Deon, Nelson and Craig have their own space to live in comfort and stability, and we look forward to many more projects like this in the future.”
– John Gerrard, CEO, Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga
About Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga
Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga is a local, non-profit organization working for a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. Our mission is to use our knowledge, skills, community relationships, volunteers and other resources to create and promote safe and affordable homeownership options with the aim of alleviating the cycle of poverty within our community.