Habitat for Humanity breaks ground on new duplex in Aspen Ridge

“There’s [always] a smell of marijuana and really creepy people in the hallway,” Rodriguez says of her current dwelling. “We live in the basement and the window doesn’t have the appropriate lock, so [people] can get in and out real easy.”

Originally from Chile, Rodriguez says she loves to meet people and is already looking to meeting new neighbours and making friends once settled into her new home.

Also moving into the duplex will be Jonathan and Rachana Brown and their children, Trinity and Nathan.

The Browns have worked hard to establish their own janitorial business, but Jonathan, also a full-time university student, says they simply haven’t been able to get ahead enough to own their home until now.

“This has just given us the one dream that we didn’t think we could do,” he said, adding that they can’t wait to pay it forward once they move into their new home.

“Not only does this help us, but this will also help others in the future once we’re through the process, because we can add that support as well.”

For the Rodriguez’s and Browns, their new homes don’t come completely free as both will have to commit 500 hours in sweat equity toward the construction of the duplex.

“Any project this big certainly cannot be completed without several people pitching in and helping out,” Vavrek noted. “Through the coming months, there will be volunteers to recruit, funds to raise, community partners to engage, safety protocols to manage, schedules to juggle, hammers to swing and walls to raise up.”

Among the sponsors recognized on Thursday were the Central Alberta Home Builders Association, Nova Chemicals, and 100+ Women Who Care – Red Deer, who last week chose Habitat for Humanity as their latest charitable donation recipient.

The new duplex on Adamson Avenue is scheduled for completion this fall.

by Josh Hall and Troy Gillard

Habitat for Humanity breaks ground on new duplex in Aspen Ridge

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