Habitat for Humanity welcomes family to latest new-home build in Thunder Bay, Ont.

Krystale and Tyrell Slater say their children have never had a backyard before.

Now, the family of four is moving from their small apartment into a three-bedroom home in Thunder Bay, Ont. The bi-level house on the city's southeast side is Habitat for Humanity Thunder Bay's 39th build.

Habitat for Humanity offers eligible families interest-free mortgages with no down payment. In return, the families must spend at least 500 hours volunteering for the organization.

The house at 519 Hargrave St. is one of roughly 2,100 units the city hopes to see built over the next three years to meet its housing goals.

 The Slaters say it means the world to them.

"We were just in a small two-bedroom apartment and it's getting crowded with two kids, a boy and a girl, and everybody's kind of sharing everything," Krystale said.

"We put in a lot of sweat and tears in this place and you know what? It shows, especially with how beautiful it is now."

Lana Vukelic, chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity Thunder Bay, said the home ownership program offers a hand up rather than a handout.

"Renting is not affordable, but there's a sustainability aspect with home ownership and that's why we deal with home ownership. You build equity, you build a legacy for your family," Vukelic said.

"It's just a dream come true."

Along with excitement and anticipation, there's also a sense of relief for the family to be in a home where they feel secure. They've already met some of their neighbours and Krystale's sister lives nearby.

"It's going to be really nice to feel safe enough to let [the children] go out on their own and have their own space to play in and not worry about who's going to come along," she said.

"Having this property is gonna be a big difference for us."

Payge, 7, and Kole, who turns 12 soon, are also eager to settle in. As friends, family members and neighbours toured the home Thursday morning, Payge was busy picking out her new bedroom.