Paradise to pony up land for Habitat for Humanity

By Mark Squibb

Paradise council last month approved the donation of a parcel of land for the organization Habitat for Humanity for construction of two semi-detached, affordable homes.

Deputy Mayor Kimberley Street said the not-for-profit group approached the Town about the possibility of a land donation in the fall of 2022.
The planning committee reviewed the request in October 2022 and recommended the Town support the project. Potential sites were then referred to the recreation committee, which selected 12 Mercury Street as the preferred property.

Council threw its support behind the project during a private meeting in November of 2023, and resolved to approve the motion subject to provincial approvals to convey the land.

The cost of donating the land, including advertising costs, will be the responsibility of the Town. The donation of land does not include permit or development fees, and the homes must meet all development regulations.

Street said the Town has twice before donated land to the organization over the last decade or so, and that both projects proved rewarding for all involved. She moved that council request approval from the province to donate the land in this case as well.

“It’s great that we’re in a position to be able to do something like this,” said councillor Glen Carew. “It’s a great opportunity for us to use some of our land for a great project.”

While neither served on council at the time, both Deputy Mayor Street and councillor Tommy Maher volunteered with Habitat for Humanity on the two previous builds.

“I was invited to the ribbon cuttings, and to see the excitement and joy on the families’ faces getting the keys to a new home was overwhelming,” said Maher. “I’m looking forward to supporting this as much as we can.”

The motion to request provincial approval passed unanimously.