The Molaski family will soon have the keys to their own home in Cobourg, as Habitat for Humanity Northumberland unveiled the newly constructed dwelling for the multi-generational family of six on Thursday (November 13).
Habitat for Humanity Northumberland board members, volunteers, and staff joined the Molaskis, community members, neighbours, and local politicians to celebrate the completion of the single detached home.
The Molaski family is comprised of Elizabeth, four children, and Elizabeth’s father Peter.
The dedication ceremony was a memorable experience for Cathy Borowec, Habitat for Humanity Northumberland’s CEO.
“It feels good,” Borowec told kawarthaNOW.
“It is Habitat’s intention to scale up where possible on the land that is available for building. In this particular neighbourhood, with the size of the home required to meet the needs of the future owners, it was a single family home that could fit. Nonetheless, a Habitat for Humanity home dedication is always a success as we help a family into homeownership from their often sub-standard, unaffordable rental home.”
In 2023, Habitat Northumberland received the donation of the property from the Town of Cobourg. Construction began in March 2024, coinciding with Habitat’s seven-unit build in Baltimore.
At the beginning of 2025, the Habitat for Humanity Northumberland team set a goal to complete eight homes in one calendar year.
It was something “we have not set our sights on before,” Borowec noted. “That goal pushed us to work differently, to build smarter, and to engage even more volunteers and partners. The result is that more families, like Elizabeth’s, are gaining the stability and security of affordable homeownership right here in their own communities.”
The Government of Canada has committed $882,000 through the Affordable Housing Fund under the National Housing Strategy toward Habitat for Humanity Northumberland projects, including this Cobourg home.
As new Habitat homeowners, the Molaski family, together with friends and extended family, has contributed more than 500 volunteer hours in the Habitat ReStore and at the build site.
After being approved into the Habitat homeownership program, the family patiently waited for a suitable project to become available that could accommodate their multi-generational household and meet their unique needs for a home.
“The support from our community to bring a Habitat home to completion and the number of individuals who contribute is cause for celebration,” Borowec said of Thursday’s dedication. “For these people to meet and hear from the future homeowners is part of the reward for their work.”
As for the Molaskis, Borowec said “The family is so excited as the move-in date approaches and that is lovely to experience.”
Founded in 1998, Habitat for Humanity Northumberland is one of 44 local Habitats working in Canada and part of the not-for-profit network of Habitat active in more than 70 countries worldwide.
Families and individuals who are in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage.
The Molaskis are the 78th family to partner with Habitat for Humanity Northumberland since 1998.
