Workeabeba Asfaw is feeling thrilled these days: the Ethiopian emigrant is officially a homeowner.
Asfaw, husband Addis Aboye and their two young sons were among the 15 families who received keys for their newly built homes from Habitat for Humanity Manitoba during a ceremony Wednesday.
The families are the first to move into the Pandora Avenue West development in Transcona, Habitat Manitoba’s largest and most ambitious project to date.
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Workeabeba Asfaw and Addis Aboye with their son, Eyoab, 5, inside their almost completed home. ‘Having a home means everything,’ says Asfaw.
“I’m excited — excited and happy,” said Asfaw, who grew up in Addis Ababa before moving to Winnipeg in 2015. “Having a home means everything. You can find hope and you can watch your kids grow up somewhere safe and secure.”
Edith Esubok agrees. The 47-year-old moved to Winnipeg from Calabar, Nigeria, in 2016 to create a better life for herself and her daughter.
Esubok has long wanted to own her own home, but as a single parent with one income, accomplishing that was difficult. She cried tears of joy when Habitat Manitoba approved her application to purchase an affordable home through the non-profit.
“It’s like a dream. I’m still pinching myself to wake up,” Esubok said. “I feel settled and proud that I have a home to share with my daughter. It comes with joy, peace of mind, fulfillment and a sense of accomplishment.”
Families purchase their homes from Habitat for Humanity with no down payment required. The organization provides them with a fixed, 15-year renewable mortgage with zero interest. Mortgage payments are calculated annually, so that families pay 27 per cent of household income on shelter costs.
As part of their partnership with Habitat Manitoba, families contribute “sweat equity” of 500 volunteer hours helping build their home, other Habitat homes or helping in one of the organization’s ReStores.
Esubok says building homes alongside other volunteers was meaningful.
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The Habitat for Humanity Manitoba Pandora Avenue West development in Transcona will eventually house 55 families, which will include about 275 people.
“This has really shown me a different depth of love,” she said. “I just appreciate Habitat for Humanity for the opportunity.”
Situated on three acres of land, the Pandora Avenue West development will include 11 blocks of five townhouses once it’s completed in 2026. Another 40 families will move into the development at that point. All told, approximately 275 people, including 175 children, will call the area home.
“There is such an exciting energy around our organization,” said Jamie Hall, CEO of Habitat Manitoba. “(We’re) welcoming families into their brand new homes, where they’ll now have a safe and decent place to rest their heads, gather with friends and create lasting memories.”
Hall acknowledged the partners who help Habitat Manitoba do its work, including the funding the organization receives from individuals, businesses and the federal government.
In the last five years, Ottawa has committed $8.4 million to Habitat Manitoba projects, including the Pandora Avenue West development, through the Affordable Housing Fund under the National Housing Strategy.
In March 2023, the federal government and Habitat for Humanity Canada announced a $25-million investment to build 500 affordable homes across the country over three years. That brings the total federal investment in Habitat Canada to $80.8 million through the Government of Canada’s National Housing Co-Investment Fund.
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Pedro Barata, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada, says a lot can be accomplished when everyone works together — and the new Habitat development is proof.
During his remarks at the key ceremony, Habitat Canada president and CEO Pedro Barata alluded to the country’s housing crisis and cited the Transcona development as an example of what can happen when people work together.
“You look around here today and (see) people from all walks of life, different backgrounds, different circumstances, different mindsets, different points of view (and) it doesn’t matter — look at what we’re doing together,” Barata said.
Mayor Scott Gillingham shared similar sentiments.
“There is something wonderful, beautiful, inspiring (and) encouraging when we come together as community members, pick up a hammer, meet other people on the job site (and) work together,” Gillingham said.
The Pandora Avenue West development is special, he added.
“There’s something really unique and truly beautiful about 15 families coming together because instantly there is community,” Gillingham said. “And so you’ve not just created homes, you’ve created a community here.”
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS
Mayor Scott Gillingham says Habitat crews have not only built homes but a community in Transcona.
In addition to the Pandora Avenue West development, Habitat Manitoba has started building housing for 20 families on Panet Avenue in Elmwood.
Since 1987, the organization has built homes for more than 500 families in the province and in Kenora, Ont.
aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca
Aaron Epp
Reporter
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.
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