You might struggle to get out of the home on these chilly winter evenings, while others struggle to find a warm place to shelter.
On the evening of Saturday, Feb. 25, you can get on your feet to join thousands of others in cities across Canada for The Coldest Night of the Year, a two- or five-kilometre walk in support of people facing housing insecurity, hunger and hurt.
In its inaugural North Vancouver walk, Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver wants to raise at least $30,000 with the support of more than 20 teams and 150 walkers.
To get involved, you can register as a sponsor, team, individual or volunteer on the Coldest Night of the Year website. Adults who raise at least $150 and youth who raise at least $75 earn a commemorative toque.
At 5 p.m., walkers of all ages will leave the HFHGV ReStore at 340 Lynn Ave. Refreshments will be provided at rest stops throughout and when walkers return to the building at the end of the route.
If you can’t participate but want to support. You can donate using the same link as above by contributing to the team Habitat Hop Step & Jumpers.
HFHGV is an organization that works to serve families by “building safe, decent and affordable housing for working families in the low-to-middle income range.” To do so, it relies on partnerships with corporations, community groups and volunteers.
New affordable housing planned in North Vancouver
Among a number of projects in the Lower Mainland, HFHGV has a new home planned in North Vancouver, as part of the Baden Park project by Anthem Properties on Mount Seymour Parkway.
According to the organization, the Coldest Night walk is a fun, family-friendly and meaningful way for the community to get involved and consider how it could feel to face housing insecurity.
Supporting the work done at Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore on Lynn Avenue – which has been in the community for more than a decade – means the organization can continue to provide more affordable housing options and stability for families in need.
“We are deeply grateful to have a first step into the North Vancouver community due to the incredibly generous support and forward thinking of Anthem,” said Steph Baker, vice-president of Real Estate development and construction at HFHGV.
“This will allow local families to remain in their community while also moving out of housing insecurity and onto a path of independence and self reliance for generations to come, a long-awaited opportunity in North Vancouver,” she said.
Baker noted it’s important that affordable housing be available in every community to help families who serve in a broad spectrum of roles in schools, retail, industry, health care, construction and beyond.
“The North Shore has long been known for eagerly acting to help those in need and with housing at a crisis level, we are thankful that Neptune, Anthem, BC Housing, Three Shores and others have stepped up and I am confident that the community will continue to rally together and help to provide a hand up for families who are struggling,” Baker added.
Organizations and individuals interested in donating to HFHGV can find out more information on its website.
HFHGV builds “strength, stability, and self-reliance through an affordable home as a first step into the traditional housing market,” providing families with an equity-build model based on monthly shelter payments capped at 30 per cent of family income.
HFHGV has 31 homes in Burnaby and Vancouver, two in Abbotsford, 12 homes in Richmond, 19 homes in Mission, and has 42 upcoming homes in Coquitlam, as well as future homes in North Vancouver. To learn more or to apply for housing, visit the organization’s website.
