Ottawa Real Estate Board Continues Legacy of Community Support with Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa

The spirit of giving back and community development runs deep within the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB). In a remarkable demonstration of their ongoing commitment to social responsibility, several dedicated members and staff of OREB recently joined forces with Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa (GO). This collaborative effort, undertaken on behalf of the Ontario Realtors Care Foundation, marks the seventh consecutive year that OREB professionals have contributed their time, energy, and expertise to building brighter futures for local families.

This long-standing partnership goes beyond mere financial contributions; it embodies a hands-on approach to tackling the pressing issue of affordable housing in the Ottawa region. The team spent a full day immersed in the fundamental stages of home construction, diligently working on essential tasks such as foundation leveling and strapping, precise framing, and efficient foam installation. Each task, meticulously executed, brought the dream of stable, safe, and affordable homeownership closer to reality for deserving families.

The Heart of OREB: A Commitment to Community and Compassion

At the core of OREB’s philosophy is a profound understanding of its role within the broader community. This commitment is eloquently captured by Dwight Delahunt, OREB President, who emphasized the intrinsic value of their efforts. “Helping those who need a hand up is just the right thing to do,” Delahunt stated. His words resonate with the belief that a thriving community is built on collective support and the empowerment of its most vulnerable members.

The dedication of OREB members extends far beyond annual volunteer days. It’s a continuous, year-round commitment. Every single OREB member contributes monthly to shelter-related charities through the esteemed Realtors Care Foundation. This consistent financial backing provides the essential resources that fuel organizations like Habitat for Humanity. However, as Delahunt highlighted, their involvement is not solely monetary. “Not only does every OREB member donate each month to shelter-related charities through the Realtors Care Foundation, but they also give of their time, energy and expertise. We are honoured to be a small part of this build and look forward to seeing the families in their new homes.” This holistic approach – combining financial aid with invaluable volunteer labor and professional skill – underscores the deep-seated philanthropic spirit prevalent among Ottawa’s real estate professionals.

The act of volunteering on a build site, getting hands dirty, and directly contributing to the construction of a home offers a unique perspective and a profound sense of purpose. It transforms abstract donations into tangible structures that will shelter families, nurture children, and foster community bonds for years to come. This direct engagement reinforces the OREB members’ connection to the lives they are impacting and strengthens their resolve to continue this vital work.

Advocating for Affordable Housing: The Realtors Care Committee’s Vision

The challenge of securing safe and affordable housing is a critical issue facing many Canadian families today. The Realtors Care Committee, an integral part of OREB, plays a pivotal role in addressing this challenge head-on. Deborah Burgoyne, Chair of the Realtors Care Committee, articulated the profound respect OREB holds for Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa’s tireless efforts. “Habitat for Humanity GO provides our local communities with affordable homes, and we have a deep respect for the great work they do,” Burgoyne explained.

Her statement underscores the mutual admiration and shared vision between the two organizations. Both believe fundamentally that housing is a human right and a cornerstone of personal and community well-being. “We believe every Canadian family deserves a safe and fairly priced home and are pleased to be a part of the solution.” This powerful conviction drives the committee’s initiatives, inspiring both financial contributions and active participation in build projects.

Habitat for Humanity’s unique model empowers families to achieve homeownership through a combination of “sweat equity” – contributing volunteer hours to build their own home and other Habitat homes – and affordable, interest-free mortgage payments. This innovative approach fosters independence, stability, and generational wealth creation, moving families from the cycle of poverty to a brighter future. OREB’s support for Habitat GO is therefore an investment not just in bricks and mortar, but in the long-term socio-economic well-being of the Ottawa community.

Leacross Landing: A Landmark Project in Orleans

The recent build focused on Leacross Landing, Habitat for Humanity GO’s most ambitious and largest project to date. This transformative development is set to create a vibrant new community consisting of 16 modern townhomes. Strategically located at the bustling corner of Jeanne d’Arc Blvd. and Fortune Dr. in the rapidly growing Orleans sector of Ottawa, Leacross Landing represents a significant step forward in addressing the housing needs of this dynamic area.

The scale of Leacross Landing is a testament to Habitat GO’s expanding capacity and the increasing demand for their services. Each of these 16 townhomes will eventually become a sanctuary for a family, offering them stability, dignity, and a place to call their own. For many, this will be the first time they experience the security of homeownership, free from the anxieties of fluctuating rental markets or substandard living conditions. The project not only provides shelter but also contributes to the revitalization and diversification of the Orleans community, fostering a stronger, more inclusive neighborhood.

Since its inception in 1993, Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa has made an indelible mark on the lives of countless families. Through the unwavering support of partners like OREB, Habitat GO has successfully partnered with an impressive 76 families across the Greater Ottawa area, helping them build and purchase their own homes. The success of Leacross Landing will further solidify this legacy, bringing the dream of homeownership within reach for even more deserving residents. This sustained impact over nearly three decades underscores the critical importance of collaborative efforts in addressing societal challenges.

A Collective Effort: Recognizing the Dedicated Volunteers

The success of any community initiative relies heavily on the dedication of its volunteers. The recent Habitat for Humanity build was no exception, drawing a diverse and enthusiastic group of participants from various facets of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. Their presence on the build site underscored OREB’s collective commitment, from leadership to active members and vital staff.

Leading the charge was OREB President Dwight Delahunt, whose personal involvement set an inspiring example. He was joined by fellow directors Ken Dekker and Andrew Ouellette, demonstrating leadership’s hands-on approach to community service. The participation of OREB members Rick Snell and Lynne Faucon further highlighted the widespread engagement across the board.

The Realtors Care Committee, the very engine driving much of OREB’s philanthropic work, was well represented by its dedicated members Sandra-Lee Marques, Tony McDermott, and Jennifer Williams. Their presence on the build site was a powerful testament to their commitment to the committee’s mission of fostering affordable housing solutions. Rounding out the team, OREB board staff Elvis Castillo and Rina Gibbons showcased the organization’s unified front, proving that every level of the board is invested in making a difference.

This collective effort symbolizes more than just individual contributions; it represents the unifying power of volunteerism and the profound impact that a dedicated group of professionals can have when they channel their collective energy towards a common, noble cause. Each swing of a hammer, every measurement taken, and every piece of lumber secured contributed to the grander vision of a stable home for a family, reinforcing the strong community fabric that OREB consistently strives to weave.

Building Futures, Strengthening Communities

The Ottawa Real Estate Board’s unwavering partnership with Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa exemplifies a powerful model for corporate social responsibility and community engagement. Through their ongoing financial contributions via the Ontario Realtors Care Foundation and their dedicated hands-on volunteerism, OREB and its members are not just building houses; they are building futures. They are providing pathways to stability, empowering families, and strengthening the very fabric of the Ottawa community.

As the walls of the Leacross Landing townhomes rise, so too does the hope for 16 families who will soon experience the profound benefits of safe, affordable homeownership. This collaborative spirit, deeply ingrained in OREB’s ethos, ensures that the dream of a “hand up” continues to transform lives, one home, and one family at a time, for many years to come.