Sherwood Park Habitat for Humanity homes ready for residents

Three families are now into their new Habitat for Humanity homes in Sherwood Park. One woman calls it a dream come true.

A family from Cameroon are Sherwood Park’s newest residents, thanks to Habitat for Humanity Edmonton building three homes there.

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Christelle Keou was emotional talking about the two-story triplex unit she is about to move into.

“We came to Canada from Cameroon for one reason: to create a better life for our family. Back home, even with a good education and diploma, it’s very hard to have a job because of the system. So you will see many people jobless. I didn’t want my children to grow in this kind of environment. I wanted them to live in a place where, if you work hard, you can build a good life,” she told reporters at a news conference on Wednesday.

But she discovered Canada had its own difficulties, such as saving up tens of thousands for a down payment.

“Canada is a beautiful country, yes, but it’s not easy to afford things like a house, especially house and land,” she said.

The homes in Sherwood Park’s Summerwood neighbourhood were built through Habitat for Humanity’s Black Families Initiative. Generally, the non-profit works to increase access to affordable home ownership by eliminating the need for a down payment, but the Sherwood Park project was specifically designed to address a systemic need. According to Habitat for Humanity, only 40 per cent of Black people in Canada own their own home, the lowest level amongst any group.

To be eligible for the homes in Sherwood Park, applicants must identify as Black, be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, have at least one full-time employed adult in the household, and earn a household income between $45,000 and $75,000.

As well, Keou will volunteer 500 hours with the organization.

“Zero down payment (and) I have a beautiful house like that,” she said in amazement.

Each home has three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and a rear detached garage.

Habitat for Humanity is also building, with Qualico and Pacesetter Homes, in St. Albert and Leduc as part of the Black Families Initiative.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Darcy Seaton