Central Lakes Association of REALTORS® Helps Get Affordable Homes Ready for Families
For their REALTORS Care® Day, members of the Central Lakes Association of REALTORS®’ (CLAR) Board of Directors laced up their steel toe boots at Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area’s Normandy build site. Armed with hammers, nails, and a shared sense of purpose, these twelve dedicated volunteers were set to contribute to a cause close to their hearts: building affordable homes and hope for families in need.
Located in Oshawa, Ontario, the Normandy development first broke ground in 2022. It aims to provide affordable housing solutions, both ownership and rental, to local families who are struggling to find a safe place to call home. Now, as Normandy nears its completion, CLAR volunteers were eager to help get this large build project over the finish line.
Throughout the day, REALTOR® volunteers worked under the direction of Habitat for Humanity staff. Their focus was on the final of the four blocks of the Normandy development that has yet to be completed. The volunteers helped to construct a fence and put finishing touches on the flooring within the units.
“Growing up just minutes from the Normandy site and attending school in this very neighbourhood, this project holds a special place in my heart,” shared Alex Down, Regional Director for Durham, Central Lakes Association of REALTORS®. “On our volunteer build day, we had the privilege of meeting a Habitat family and hearing their story firsthand. Affordable housing options like these are not just important – they are essential to the fabric of our community. Every volunteer, every hour dedicated to this cause, plays a crucial role in shaping a stronger, more compassionate future for all.”
Volunteers heard a story of hope from a family who had relocated from Scarborough to this new Habitat development. Coming from a small, poorly lit basement, the whole family, especially their 4-year-old daughter, was very excited at the opportunity of laying their roots at their new home.
Scheduled to be completed by the end of October, the Normandy build site will be a mixed-income affordable housing community of 50 units. It will include 26 new townhomes, which will be owned by Habitat families, as well as 24 affordable rental units, which will be allocated to Durham Region Non-Profit Housing Corporation. Once complete, the resulting community will be a true model for how to build more inclusive, economically diverse communities.
“485 Normandy Street is a multi-residential project housing 50 families. This includes Habitat homeownership, and affordable rental housing, allowing for relief to the housing crisis,” explained Ottavio Osso, Site Coordinator with Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area. “We greatly appreciated CLAR’s assistance in making today’s efforts a success”.
This REALTORS Care® Day concluded with a sense of accomplishment and a deeper understanding of the need for, and importance, of safe and affordable housing for all.
Throughout the year, the Central Lakes Association of REALTORS® looks to make an impact in the many communities their members serve. Habitat for Humanity is their 2024 charity of choice, meaning donations from the organization will be split amongst the various chapters in their area, including those serving the Greater Toronto Area, Northumberland, Peterborough & Kawartha Region and Prince Edward-Hastings. Earlier this year, the organization hosted two charity golf tournaments in support of local food banks, and they’re currently preparing for their highly anticipated Christmas Dinner and Charity Auction.
