CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Habitat for Humanity P.E.I. is hammering away with a plan to construct the first “rainbow build’’ in Canada for members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Aaron Brown, the organization’s CEO, hopes to secure an eligible applicant for a build next year or in 2021.
“The housing situation in Charlottetown and P.E.I. – it’s no secret what a mess it is,’’ says Brown.
“People in (the 2SLGBTQ+) community face their own barriers to employment and housing issues and that kind of thing.’’
Brown says Habitat for Humanity, which provides affordable home ownership to island families of limited income to help empower them to improve their social and economic future, wants the public to know the organization is open and inclusive to “family types of all shapes and sizes".
Habitat for Humanity is first reaching out to members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community to take part in a build on Sept. 19 and/or 20 with a build underway in Charlottetown or three going up in Harrington.
Rebecca Condon, interim executive director of PEERS Alliance, welcomes the initiative.
“The fact of the matter is that members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community (experience) rates of homelessness are higher,’’ she says.
“It’s about normalizing these families as normal families, which they are. So, it’s a great opportunity.’’
She calls the proposed rainbow build a logical partnership between PEERS Alliance and Habitat for Humanity.
She adds the fact the first rainbow build in Canada could take place in P.E.I. makes the project all the more special.
With the help of many volunteers, Habitat for Humanity has provided 67 families with safe, decent and affordable housing throughout Prince Edward Island.
PEERS Alliance serves people of all genders and sexual orientations in the promotion of sexual health well-being.
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