Blitz Build Creates Hope for St. Thomas Residents
After five years of planning and preparation, Project Tiny Hope’s #BlitzBuild has transformed the dream of affordable housing into a remarkable reality. In just 2.5 days, over 50 local trades, builders, volunteers, and donors combined to construct eight tiny homes in St. Thomas. Lindsay Rice, Executive Director of YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin, expresses her gratitude for the collaborative spirit that made the event a success. “We were overwhelmed with the hard work and generosity of the trades, services, and builders. It was as if we were witnessing the most synergized, well-orchestrated display of modern home construction.” Key players in the project included builders such as Wastell Homes, MP Custom Homes, Woodfield Design & Build, DHP Homes, Collier Homes, Gilbert Contracting & Renovations, Doug Tarry Homes and WINMAR Property Restoration Specialists. Their dedication and craftsmanship brought the vision of Project Tiny Hope to life, creating much-needed homes for YWCA residents. Doug Tarry of Doug Tarry Homes highlights the significance of the rapid construction effort: “We’ve blitz-built eight homes in two and a half days, with some incredible volunteers and some really great builders and renovators coming out to play with us. And I couldn’t be more thankful for all the efforts, learning opportunities, and smiles we’ve been seeing.” The homes built during the Blitz Build aren’t just affordable— they’re sustainable. Constructed to Life Ark and Net Zero specifications, they are designed for energy efficiency and longevity, reflecting Project Tiny Hope’s commitment to
creating environmentally responsible housing solutions for those in need. “This project is about more than just building homes; we’ve built a community,” says Doug. “As the government talks about rapid housing initiatives, I don’t know, that was pretty quick!” The Mayor of St. Thomas, Joe Preston, also praises the initiative: “A community in a community. These are the believers who said, ‘Yes, it can be done, it will be done.’ And look at how far along we’ve come in just a three-day period.” Project Tiny Hope’s Blitz Build has provided more than just a place to live—it has given residents hope, a sense of community, and a brighter future. As the project progresses, plans to replicate this model in other municipalities are being developed, making it a blueprint of what’s possible when people come together for a common cause. For more information or to support Project Tiny Hope, visit YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin at www.ywcaste.ca/project-tiny-hope.
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Page 34 Hometown St. Thomas • November 2024
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