A lot has changed since Habitat for Humanity Huronia launched in the mid-1990s, but their mission has also remained the same and that's to get families into homes they can afford while also improving their quality of life.
A celebratory gathering was held Tuesday night at the ReStore on Brock Street to mark Habitat for Humanity Huronia's quarter century of helping local families with achieving the dream of home ownership, but also thank all of the volunteers who've been involved, from tradespeople to those working in the store.
"It's a definite milestone," Robert Cikoja, chief executive officer with Habitat for Humanity Huronia, told BarrieToday. "We wouldn't be here without the community. That's a hundred per cent. This is kind of a giveback to them for what they've done for us and enabling us to carry out our mission, which is to get more into homes and help fight this housing crisis.
"The 25 years hasn't been easy, but that's what makes it that much more fun to be at this point," he added.
In Barrie, it all began with a home on Athabaska Road.
Since its inception in 1995, Habitat Huronia has helped 43 families with homes being built in Barrie, Angus, Alliston, Wasaga Beach, Collingwood, Port McNicoll, Penetanguishene, Midland, and Orillia. Ten of those families have paid off their mortgage, according to statistics from Habitat Huronia, which currently has more than 100 active volunteers.
A lot has changed since the mid-1990s, as the city begins to grow at a rapid rate.
"The rental costs in Barrie are just outrageous," Cikoja said. "At one point a year ago, we were third in the country (for highest rental rates), only behind Toronto and Vancouver. That's staggering to know.
"Our proximity to Toronto used to be a bonus for a a lot of people, but not for the locals," he added. "The locals that now have to endure this increase in rent, but not only in rent, (also) in housing. Some people have seen their investments double in a three- or four-year span, and that's unmanageable."
Habitat for Humanity Huronia's big project this year is a five-unit townhouse complex in the area of Essa Road and Mapleton Avenue in Barrie's south end. It was slated to be done last year, but was postponed due to fundraising and the fact that "times were tough all across the board," Cikoja said.
But the calendar has turned and there's a new outlook for the organization.
"There's also some future plans to move into Innisfil and hopefully within the next two or three years doubling the count of families that we've already done," he added.
They've also made changes to their fundraising model. In the past, they would raise money for a project, but now they have investors putting in the "social equity" to fund the construction, which is then paid back, Cikoja said.
Habitat Huronia relies on financial and in-kind donations from the community and businesses. Donations cover administrative costs and help to fund their projects.
Looking ahead to the next 25 years, Cikoja expects even bigger things to come for Habitat for Humanity across the country.
"I see us growing exponentially," he said. "Hopefully, we're doing 70 or 80 houses a year. I can see it happening, because the need is there. Finally, municipal and provincial governments, even the federal government, are starting to listen to our voice and say 'we'll give you a hand'."
They're still waiting to see that trickle-down effect in the Barrie area, though.
"We've 100 per cent funded our builds," Cikoja said. "We have had no government support."
The City of Barrie "has been very kind to us" and helped in other ways, he said, such as breaks on development charges and providing leadership and guidance to continue to grow.
Habitat Huronia's three major fundraising events this year include Rock the House Bonspiel in Alliston on March 29, Golf FORE Humanity on June 11 at Bear Creek Golf Club in Essa Township, and Sip, Savour, Sing on Sept. 24 at Liberty North on Caplan Avenue. Money raised from those and other special events will go directly toward the south-end Barrie build.
