IF anyone ever doubted the difference Housing Opportunity Partnership makes in peoples' lives, all you have to do is ask Realtor Frank Zappia.
"The only way I can put it is that the people fortunate enough to qualify for a home are absolutely thrilled to become homeowners," said Zappia.
He said HOP has either renovated or built new infill homes for families with modest incomes since the late 1990s.
"A good example is the family that moved into one of our most recent infill homes on Langside Street," said Zappia. "They're happy as can be to have a home of their own."
As positive as that bit of news is, its completion -- along with other new infill homes on Arlington and Maryland streets -- is bittersweet. Funding from the provincial government is scheduled to run out at the end of March.
If that funding isn't renewed, HOP will be -- at least, until they find another funding source -- unable to continue their legacy of providing affordable home ownership in the city's West End.
Zappia said the prospect of no longer being able to help families realize home ownership is a difficult one to fathom.
"Over the past 16 or 17 years, we've tried to do the best that we can to help deserving families realize their dream of home ownership. It not only provides them with an affordable home, but it also generates a sense of hope, a feeling that good things are happening, that we're adding to the development of communities," he said. "It's painful to think of not being able to do that any more."
The family that's inhabited the latest HOP home on Langside Street said they hope the program will continue.
"We're so thankful," said the couple, who are natives of Eritrea. "HOP made it all possible for us. We couldn't afford to buy a home on our own. Now that we have such a beautiful new home, our friends are asking about how we were were able to get it. We tell them that HOP helped us. It's such a good program. This home has made a big difference in our lives. We can't explain how happy we are."
Zappia said for himself and everyone else involved with HOP, the enterprise goes beyond simply erecting affordable infill homes for families.
"You can't help getting invested emotionally with these families. Many are immigrants who've come to Canada after enduring hardship, immigrants who treasure the idea of owning their own home. As a result, we've experienced some very touching moments," he said. "I did my best to help inexpensively finish the play room in the home of one of the families. In turn, they invited me over for an orthodox Christmas celebration. I couldn't make it, but was very touched by the gesture."
HOP president Lori Thorsteinson said she and others in the organization were looking forward to reaching the goal of providing 100 West End families with affordable new homes in the coming years. Now, that milestone is in jeopardy.
"It will be really disappointing if we can't continue to work toward that goal," she said, adding HOP's home total stands at 90. "Right now, we have a waiting list of about 30 people who've been pre-approved for a home, so the need is still there. If the funding is no longer available, I guess we'll have to look at other alternatives, and that could take some time. In the meantime, families who are in need of a good home will have to wait."
Thorsteinson said she hopes the province will opt to continue funding the program.
"I think our track record speaks for itself. Over the last 17 years, we've revitalized West End neighbourhoods with renovated or new infill homes, providing people with homes that they take pride in, and that spur on their neighbours to take pride in theirs," she said. "This program is a win-win scenario for both the city and province with neighbourhood renewal and an increased tax base. We're hopeful that the province will reconsider so we can continue to help worthy families realize their dream of home ownership."
lewys@mymts.net
