For 10 years now, Habitat for Humanity has been working hard to provide affordable homes to Yukon families. Habitat’s mission is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable houses and promoting home ownership as a means to break the cycle of poverty.

Habitat for Humanity empowers families by providing low-interest rates on homes priced below market values. They are able to accomplish this thanks to the support of volunteers and community partners who donate material, time and expertise. The families also get involved by providing 500 hours of labour to the project.

In the 10 years that Habitat has been in the territory, they have provided 12 Yukon families with homes. Ten years may seem short in the almost 40 years since Habitat International was founded, but Yukon’s chapter has been a leader in many aspects. In 2011, Habitat for Humanity Yukon completed the first-ever house to meet SuperGreen environmental standards, a practice that is now being carried out throughout the country.

Another first for Yukon Habitat happened in 2012, as mentioned by my colleagues, when Habitat signed an agreement with the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations to build housing on settlement land in Canada. This first attracted national attention and was awarded the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation award for outstanding contribution to Habitat for Humanity aboriginal housing. The award recognition involved advancing Habitat for Humanity’s aboriginal housing program.

To the volunteers, the staff and the board members who are here today, we would like to thank you on behalf of all Yukoners for improving the lives of Yukoners, one nail at a time.