The Habitat for Humanity Project is happening in Ormstown
Last Friday, The "Our House" project in Ormstown went one step further. Two LEED certified, semi-detached houses were transported to lots on Isabelle St. to welcome two low income families.
With some one hundred people assembled on site in the bitter cold, the four modules were installed on concrete bases where they will be completed and made ready for this coming July 1st.
The "Our House" Project was initiated in 2012. It is the first collaboration of this kind in Québec for Habitat for Humanity Québec (HHQ), thanks to an agreement established between the New Frontiers English School Board and the Municipality of Ormstown.
"The challenge with this project was to coordinate the efforts of the different partners involved in the project," explained Jean-François Deschênes, Director of Construction for HHQ. "It was a first-time experience for the Chateauguay Valley Career Education Centre, they had to adapt their carpentry program accordingly."
Program instructor, John Hodges was on site to coordinate the installation. "This was a big challenge for us because we were faced with the unknown in constructing a certified LEED home. We went beyond what we know and we were able to integrate this new concept to suit the needs of our students. They'll be ahead in this regard."
Daniel Béliveau is one of the 80 students in the program who worked on this project: laying floors, putting up gyproc and installing bathroom cabinets. "It's cool, we feel proud to have participated in a project that includes high quality standards," he stated.
The ceremony which took place outside at parc des Érables provided an opportunity for representatives from the organizations involved in the project to make speeches. Huntingdon MNA, Stéphane Billette and Chrystian Soucy, Mayor of Ormstown also spoke.
The latter indicated how proud he felt that the Municipality of Ormstown is participating in this project. "Since we have no industry here, it's a way for us to improve our visibility among young families," he said. The Municipality contributed the lot on Isabelle St. and provided services; a value of approximately $30 000, according to the Mayor.
The ceremony also provided an opportunity to introduce Stacey Cater and her young son Chase Kennedy, the first family to occupy one of the units. According to the Project agreement, the family must meet certain criteria, in particular investing 500 volunteer hours of their time towards the construction of their house or other volunteer activities.
The ceremony, held Friday morning, clearly revealed a feeling of great pride and collective accomplishment for all of the participants involved in the "Our House" Project.
Translated by Cathleen Johnston
See also:
Habitat for Humanity Accepting Applications for “Our House” Occupancy
Chateauguay Valley Career Education Centre Begins Collaboration with Habitat for Humanity Project