Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS® Supports a Family Rebuilding After Wildfires
As part of their REALTORS® Build Week, a team of seven volunteers from the Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS® (NSAR) celebrated their REALTORS Care® Day by spending the day giving back at Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia’s Upper Tantallon Wildfire Relief Build. Their week-long initiative saw more than 30 volunteers give their time between the Upper Tantallon and New Glasgow Habitat for Humanity builds.
For Nova Scotia, last year’s wildfire season was unprecedented. Over 25,000 hectares of land was damaged, 16,000 individuals were temporarily displaced, and more than 200 homes were taken by the fires. More than a year later, organizations like Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia are still helping families rebuild.
By pitching in at the Upper Tantallon Wildfire Relief Build, REALTORS® supported a struggling Nova Scotian family who were known to go out of their way to help those around them. Phil, 60, and Sue, 63, moved into their Hammonds Plains home in 2013 and immediately fell in love with the community. Last May, their lives were turned upside down when a wildfire broke out in their community, and they were forced to evacuate the area immediately. Days later, they received the devastating news that their dream home had been lost to the fire. To make matters worse, they later learned that an issue with their oil tank had caused their home insurance provider to deny coverage. Phil and Sue had no financial recourse, nor the resources to rebuild on their own.
Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia partnered with the Canadian Red Cross and United Way Halifax to give this community-minded family a fresh start, and REALTORS® were eager to help. During their REALTORS Care® Day, the group of volunteers worked side-by-side with Phil and Sue to help them rebuild their home. They spent their time installing studs, preparing the home for drywall and installing foam insulation. Motivation to put in a hard day’s work was not hard to find, knowing that their efforts would be in support of this deserving family, who have been displaced for more than a year now.
“We can’t wait to get home. It’ll be amazing and it’s all thanks to Habitat,” said Sue. “Everybody, volunteers, the partners, and crew supervisors, everything, they’re amazing, and we just can’t wait to get back.”
After receiving feedback that their membership wanted to get involved with Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia, NSAR struck a three-year partnership with the organization to make this a reality. Now in its second year, REALTORS® Build Week provides members across the province with the opportunity to spend a day at a Habitat for Humanity build site.
“Unfortunately, we are in an actual housing crisis,” shared Kyle Clarke, REALTOR® and Salesperson with RE/MAX Nova. “It’s very unaffordable at the moment for a lot of families, so what Habitat for Humanity is doing here is an amazing thing, and I’m glad to be a part of it.”
This year’s initiative saw REALTORS® volunteering on-site at the Upper Tantallon build from September 23 to 26. On September 27, a group of volunteers spent the day at a build in New Glasgow. The New Glasgow development, located in a historically Black community, will further Habitat Nova Scotia’s commitment to addressing systemic barriers to homeownership opportunities. By the end of the week, these homes were one step closer to providing safety, comfort and security to Nova Scotian families in need.
“We’re very thankful for the Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS® being here this week,” reflected Michelle Murphy, Executive Assistant to the CEO at Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia. “They’re a huge part in helping get this project completed. They’ve been on our other build that we currently have in New Glasgow, as well. So, without them, it would be a lot harder to get this done. Our builds are based off of volunteer work, so we’re very appreciative for their help.”
Throughout the year, NSAR finds meaningful ways to support the many communities their members serve across the province. They continue their support for Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia by participating in their Stud-a-thon fundraiser, donating, and decorating, studs for future builds. The organization and its members support Feed Nova Scotia through donations and food drives, help with shoreline clean ups throughout the province with Scotian Shores and contribute to local charities including HomeBridge Youth Society and Margaret’s House during the holidays.
