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June 29, 1999
(Government Services and Lands)


Here comes the neighborhood!

On Tuesday, June 29, Howard Hickman, chair of Cabot Habitat for Humanity unveiled plans for the group's 1999 Building Program and announced the names of the families selected to become Habitat homeowners.

At a special ceremony to mark the event, Ernie McLean, Minister of Government Services and Lands, transferred ownership of more than one-half acre of prime residential property located on the Southside Road to the group.

Mr. McLean said the Southside Road property would become the site of five Habitat homes. "I would like to commend the organizers, the volunteers, and the families for their efforts, and wish the families every success in their new homes. Many people have worked hard and well to make these dreams a reality."

Mr. Hickman said: "We are very grateful for the support of the provincial government in providing the land that has made it possible for our volunteer organization to build homes for local families in need of affordable shelter. Finding suitable land for our building program has been one of our biggest challenges."

"I would also like to thank Premier Tobin and his wife Jodean for their support. They have both taken a keen personal interest in our efforts and, as many know, they worked on site as volunteers during the Ed Schreyer Work Project 1997 which saw seven homes built in a five-day blitz build on Hillview Drive East. I would also like to thank Mrs. Tobin for her presence here today."

During the current building program, three Habitat Homes will be constructed. Volunteers will blitz build two homes this summer, one on the Southside Road in St. John's and the other on Wyatt Boulevard in Mount Pearl. The third will be built on the Southside Road next summer.

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, Christian Housing Ministry with the goal of eliminating poverty housing world wide. Habitat builds homes with families in need, who help with the construction of their own homes, as well as paying a long term, no-profit, no-interest mortgage. Building costs are reduced by the use of volunteer labour and by the local donation of cash building materials. It is expected that over 200 local Habitat volunteers will take part in the summer building program.

Media contact:

Kevin Dormody
Cabot Habitat for Humanity
(709) 772-6197 or (709) 722-4156

Rick Callahan
Director of Communications
Department of Government Services and Lands
(709) 729-4860

NOTE TO EDITORS:

A media kit containing a wide range of material related to this project is available from Kevin Dormody.

1999 06 29         3:10 p.m.


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