Just as I’m getting all my gear together for the build day tomorrow, I caught a snippet on the news where a local neighbourhood is fighting to stop a 47 home development project that Habitat for Humanity would like to build. If approved, the built would provide housing for 47 families earning between $30 and 50 thousand a year.<\/p>\n
The complaints all seem to centre around the “not in my backyard” argument. Citizens interviewed on TV loudly worried about how the value of their home and neighbourhood would decrease with the influx of Habitat home owners.<\/p>\n
I’m thoroughly disgusted!<\/p>\n
Habitat home owners put in numerous hours of sweat equity helping to build other’s homes before they beginning working on their own. They assume a mortgage and will make payments at a reduced (or non-existent) interest rate. If they miss payments, Habitat homes can be foreclosed upon. These are people who aren’t asking for a handout, they’re working their way up in the world and deserve as much help as we can give them.<\/p>\n
The homes will be sold for approximately $260,000 and aren’t going for chump change. Drive around any Habitat homes and you’ll find houses that are beautifully kept and often the nicest yards and presentation in the neighbourhood. There’s a lot of pride that goes with home ownership and Habitat homes are no exception.<\/p>\n
As for the argument that low income home owners decrease the value of properties, obviously the people in this neighbour hood haven’t visited mine. We’re mostly middle class – with more hitting the lower middle class (you know, that $40-60 thousand a year mark) than the upper. In my experience, what makes or breaks a neighbourhood is the community involvement and the friendships you make with those living beside you.<\/p>\n
I sincerely hope that none of the people fighting the Habitat for Humanity project fall on hard times…lest they find themselves face to face with the attitude they’re presenting to the world and a complete lack of empathy for others.<\/p>\n
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