Amanda Carr speaks to a crowd with her five children in front of her new house on Golfdale Road in Belleville. Carr received the keys to her new home Wednesday afternoon, made possible by Habitat for Humanity Prince Edward-Hastings as part of its program to allow low-income families to own a house.
Amanda Carr and her family finally have a home of their own, and first thing they’re going to do as a family is relax together.
“It’s been a really long process, almost a year and a half to get to this point,” she said.
The single mother of five has had a busy year, balancing two jobs, helping to build her new home and raising her children.
Carr received the keys to her new home Wednesday afternoon, made possible by Habitat for Humanity Prince Edward-Hastings as part of its program to allow low-income families to own a house.
“It feels amazing, it’s extremely exciting to see it all done,” she said.
Carr’s house, located on Golfdale Road in Belleville, is one of two homes Habitat for Humanity has been building for the last 10 months.
Nancy Troke, chair of the family selection and partnering committee for the foundation, said it’s been amazing to watch Carr finally get her home.
“We first met Amanda in July. She and her five children were living in a one bedroom trailer in Brighton,” said Troke, taking a moment after getting emotional. It’s very difficult to rent something as a family of six, she said.
“She and her children had to move three times in the last two years, trying to find a safe and affordable place to live,” said Troke, addressing the family, friends and city officials who came to the house opening.
Now Carr’s children Nikita, Kaylie, Jesse, Ethan and Bella have their own space, she said.
Standing in the back of the crowd was Alyssa Hills, who several months ago was in the same situation as Carr.
“It’s hard not to cry when you watch someone do it, because when you were in that position you kind of remember how amazing it is,” she said. “There are no words.”
Hills, along with her husband Arthur Nixon, moved into their new Trenton home in November. Like Carr, the family of five acquired the house with the help of Habitat for Humanity.
“You go through your life and you don’t realize that so many people care about you. Every single person contributes something for you, for no reason, just because you are you,” she said. “It’s really awe-inspiring.”
Habitat for Humanity is looking for families to put into new homes, said Troke. Anyone who is interested can apply online at the Habitat for Humanity Prince-Edward Hastings website.
Samantha Reed/The Intelligencer
Wednesday, June 8, 2016 6:44:13 EDT PM