New Habitat for Humanity initiative to teach youth about housing advocacy, skilled trades

Youth will be gathering in Elora to learn about housing advocacy and essential skilled trades to build homes. Habitat for Humanity's Hands On For Housing goes from Nov. 6 to 8.

A first-of-its-kind three-day conference on affordable housing advocacy and skilled trades is launching in Elora, Ont.

Hands On For Housing will be held from Nov. 6 to 8 at the Grandway Event Centre.

Karyn Boscariol, director of communications and resource development for the Guelph-Wellington chapter of Habitat for Humanity, said they’re trying to sow the “seed of solutions” that’ll grow for the next decade.

“What we came up with is the concept of bringing youth to the table so that they could also learn more about housing, be able to advocate for themselves, as well as really, really cultivating a love for the skilled trades,” Boscariol said.

The Habitat for Humanity model provides families with the opportunity to enter a state of housing security that wouldn’t otherwise be accessible because it is really difficult to enter affordable home ownership.

Boscariol said the youth voice has never really been listened to regarding housing advocacy and Habitat for Humanity wants them to know everything about housing so they can not only advocate for themselves but also create a brighter future.

For three days, more than 150 youth will engage in housing advocacy workshops and hands-on building projects.

She said the organization is bringing together as many facets of the community as possible, including politicians and housing advocates.