THUNDER BAY -- After a brief period of uncertainty this year’s Habitat for Humanity home build is back on track.
Nearly two months after the organization announced they would likely have to suspend the build, work is ongoing at their duplex on Hodder Avenue.
Habitat for Humanity Thunder Bay CEO Diane Mitchell said a February move in date for the families is being targeted with exterior work expected to be completed within the next couple of weeks.
“We are back at it full pin and making great progress,” Mitchell said. “Once we’re winterized we’re good for the snow to fly and then we’ll be working in the house to finish that.”
In September the organization had publicly said the build would likely have to be pushed back due to a funding shortfall.
Mitchell said they needed about $75,000 to resume the project and build the home for the two families, who have seven children between them.
“It was absolutely shocking beyond my wildest expectations that we would have enough money to be able to finish it that quickly,” she said.
“To see two people step forward and provide all the money was unbelievable. It was amazing and makes you believe in miracles.”
Mitchell said the funding issues were primarily as a result of a perfect storm of the project being a duplex, expansion of the ReStore and a decrease in the success of two of their primary fundraisers.
The organization is planning to continue with the annual tradition again next year, with a build in the works on Finlayson Street.
