CORNWALL, Ontario – The Lauzon family were given a big shock at the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store on Tuesday, Sept. 18.
Ashlee and Shane Lauzon and their three kids, Kyler, 9, Austin, 6, and Hunter, 3, found out that their family had been selected to receive a brand-new home in Cornwall from Habitat for Humanity.
“We’ve had fantastic support from the community for the Lauzon’s,” said Hank Blasiak, Board Chair for Habitat for Humanity Cornwall.
The home is scheduled to be completed in Sept. 2019, but a site has yet to be found. Habitat for Humanity Cornwall will be building a semi-detached home on Eva St for another family, scheduled to be completed by 2020, but that family has yet to be selected.
“There is a real affordable housing shortage across Canada,” said Blasiak.
According to Blasiak, 14 percent of Canadians are in need of affordable housing, but in Cornwall, that number jumps to 19 percent.
Joanne Mohamed, Building Projects and Finance Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity explained their selection process.
“They have to have a need and we check their financial criteria,” said Mohamed. “When we met this family, they were very sweet and there was a huge need. We can’t wait to break ground for this family.”
Ashlee Lauzon said she was so thankful for her family being chosen by Habitat for Humanity.
“Honestly we have had a lot of obstacles, but we have always stayed positive,” she said. “This will be life changing. This means so much to us.”
The Lauzon family will now begin their 500 hours of sweat equity, which will involve helping to build the home, doing community service and promotional work for Habitat for Humanity.
