As it becomes increasingly difficult for working families to find suitable homes, a financial boost for local housing initiatives comes at a good time, says a spokesperson for Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region (Habitat for Humanity PKR).
The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Home Builders Association’s (PKHBA) annual charity auction, hosted in December 2023 in partnership with Habitat for Humanity PKR, has raised $42,377 — the most successful charity auction to date — to help support housing initiatives in Peterborough and the Kawarthas.
The funds raised will be split evenly, with $21,188.70 going to both Habitat for Humanity PKR and PKHBA, a non-profit organization that has represented the professional home building industry in Peterborough and the Kawarthas since 1956.
Jenn MacDonald, Habitat for Humanity PKR communications and donor services manager, credits the community for this year’s record fundraiser.
“The success of the event can be attributed to the growing support from the local community over the last several years,” MacDonald told kawarthaNOW.
PKHBA, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity PKR, has been able to turn this community support into a successful annual event that continues to grow year after year “due to the generosity of our local trades, contractors, and local businesses who have seen the value in the work we do, and the increased need for housing solutions across the Peterborough and Kawartha Region,” MacDonald said.
“Our region is suffering from housing shortages across the housing continuum and the lack of adequate and affordable homes,” she added. “Coupled with rising interest rates, inflation, and a rental vacancy of one per cent, it’s becoming harder for working families to find a safe, decent, and affordable place to live.”
“Habitat’s success with our first multi-unit development, which helped 41 families into affordable homeownership, has also demonstrated to the community that we have solutions. With the support of our community, we can help serve more families, helping them build equity and build a better future.”
She said the multi-unit development has also demonstrated “the required shift from our idealized vision of housing with a big backyard and a white picket fence.”
“Multi-unit developments help more families into housing, require less land, and can provide affordable solutions by building high-quality, simple, and efficient designs,” MacDonald explained.
Habitat for Humanity PKR mobilizes volunteers and partners to build simple, decent housing to provide working families with access to affordable homeownership. Habitat for Humanity PKR will use the dollars raised from the charity auction event to construct more safe and affordable housing.
Meanwhile, PKHBA has a mission to facilitate the development of sustainable businesses for its members, advocate for effective government policy, maintain positive consumer experiences, and exchange experiences, information, and best practices. The money raised through the charity auction will help PKHBA achieve this throughout the year, the organization noted.
“We cannot thank our local community enough for supporting this event, and Habitat’s affordable home-building efforts,” said Susan Zambonin, CEO of Habitat for Humanity PKR, in a media release.
“Our local trades, contractors, and businesses have been tremendous supporters in helping Habitat homeowners have a safe and affordable place to call home.”
Rebecca Schillemat, executive officer for PKHBA, said the event provides “a great opportunity for PKHBA members to give back to the community where they live, work and play.
“We are thrilled with the amazing support our community has shown for all types of housing in Peterborough and the Kawarthas,” Schillemat said.
“We’re so thankful for all those who donated, sponsored and attended our annual charity auction last year and can’t wait to see what this year brings.”
The full list of donors and sponsors can be found on the PKHBA website.
