June 01, 2023
EDMONTON, ALBERTA. Habitat for Humanity supporters gathered to celebrate the official start of the Orest Myckan Legacy Build, presented by the REALTORS® Community Foundation. The build is in memory of Habitat Edmonton volunteer Orest Myckan, who passed away in January of 2022. Orest left a strong legacy of volunteerism in Edmonton as well as the many developing countries in which he built Habitat homes for families. The land for the build was donated by Elfrida and Eugene McTague in Orest’s memory. When completed, the build will be a duplex serving two Edmonton families in need of affordable home ownership.
Integral to the build is funding from the Government of Canada. Since 2019, the federal government has made a total funding commitment of $2,368,355 through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF) under the National Housing Strategy towards Habitat Edmonton projects, including these homes. This funding commitment includes a Black Families Funding investment of $1,144,779. Black families, who are disproportionally left out of home ownership in Canada, will be the beneficiaries of the two homes.
“Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Thanks to today’s announcement and in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Edmonton, two new homes will be created for deserving families – homes they can proudly call their own,” said The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion.
“Housing affordability and social housing have been a main focus for our government and we have delivered on this together with Habitat for Humanity,” said the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism, Associate Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre “With today’s investment, we are providing more safe and affordable homes to Canadians, including in Edmonton. These investments will benefit families, businesses, and our community.”
The REALTORS® Community Foundation has been a strong partner of Habitat Edmonton for over a decade and, as the lead supporter, has provided $200,000 towards the construction of the two homes.
“The REALTORS® Community Foundation brings REALTORS® and industry stakeholders together to positively impact the communities they serve,” says Nicole Mackoway, Interim Executive Director, REALTORS® Community Foundation. “Our mission aligns with Habitat for Humanity, and the Orest Myckan build is something we are very proud to be a part of. There is also a lot of excitement from our REALTORS® membership, and many want to give their time to help bring these homes to reality.”
The Government of Alberta has been a prominent supporter of Habitat’s program across the province since 2005, and has invested $200,000 in the Orest Myckan Legacy Build.
Families for the homes will be selected closer to the completion dates of the homes and will need to meet Habitat’s eligibility requirements.
“Habitat helps fulfill the needs of our community, and drives positive, generational changes for those who want to own a home yet don’t have the means to qualify for a traditional mortgage, said Dr. Ann-Marie Reddy, President & CEO, Habitat Edmonton. “Families in our program move into affordable home ownership, then sell their home back to us when they are ready to move on. We then find another family to purchase the home. This is a proven cycle that transitions families from renting to affordable home ownership, and then to market home ownership.”
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About Habitat for Humanity Edmonton
Habitat brings communities together to help families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable home ownership. For more information about Habitat for Humanity Edmonton, please visit HFH.org.
Media inquires, please contact:
Kyle Keller
Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications
Habitat for Humanity Edmonton
communications@hfh.org
780-479-3566
