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Courtenay’s Habitat for Humanity project gets helping hands from politicians, military

19 Wing Comox, MP Blaney, MLA Leonard all pitch in on Lake Trail site
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Coourtenay-Comox MLA Ronna-Rae Leonard, and Comox-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney put on their work gloves and helped out at the Habitat For Humanity Build Day, July 12. Photo by Jim Peacock

Habitat for Humanity Vancouver Island North - Media Release

For immediate release: July 19, 2018

Provincial and Federal government come together for Habitat build day

MLA Ronna-Rae Leonard and MP Rachel Blaney worked alongside 19 Wing Comox to help

Habitat build homes

Habitat for Humanity Vancouver Island North (Habitat VIN) brings communities together, and on Thursday, July 12, it brought together the provincial and federal government, along with Canadian Forces personnel, to build homes for local families.

Courtenay-Comox MLA Ronna-Rae Leonard and North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney demonstrated donned hard hats and safety boots to work on Habitat VIN’s 1330 Lake Trail Road construction project in Courtenay.

The two politicians and their teams worked alongside one of eight teams of the ‘Air Force Top Cover Team Build’ from 19 Wing Comox, who have committed to take turns working on the construction project three to four days a week over the next 11 months. 19 Wing’s continued engagement will help ensure that two families are able to move into their Habitat homes on Lake Trail Road this fall.

Both Leonard and Blaney are long-time advocates for affordable housing. Leonard became involved with Habitat VIN through Women Build, an ongoing initiative that encourages women in the Comox Valley to fundraise and volunteer to support Habitat’s 10-unit Lake Trail Road construction project. She even presented the program to the BC Legislature.

“I spent many years chairing regional meetings here in the Comox Valley, trying to address our affordable housing crisis,” said Leonard. “Now, our new government’s 30-point housing plan relies on partnerships to build the numbers of homes that we need in B.C.”

This is the second year in a row that Blaney has volunteered on a Habitat build. Last year, she spent time on Habitat VIN’s 477 Hilchey Road project in Campbell River.

“Access to safe, affordable and appropriate housing has become one of the single biggest issues facing our communities,” said Blaney. “Habitat for Humanity is doing amazing work to tackle the issue head on by building affordable homes for working families.”

The opportunity to get hands-on was a meaningful experience for both leaders.

“Our team felt so good to be personally welcomed on site by Habitat for Humanity to be a hands-in partner to build homes for those struggling to raise a family in the face of our housing crunch,” explained Leonard.

“It’s important to contribute in any way I can, whether lobbying in Ottawa or swinging a hammer in the Comox Valley,” added Blaney.

Habitat VIN welcomes other organizations, community leaders, and individuals to participate in a Team Build Day. No construction experience is necessary. Contact Tom Beshr at teambuild@habitatnorthisland.com or 250-334-3777 ext. 230 to learn how you can get involved, or visit habitatnorthisland.com/teambuild.