Habitat for Humanity has opened a new ReStore location in Abbotsford after the previous one was closed amid controversy almost three years ago.
The new store, located at 34150 South Fraser Way (the former site of Get Air trampoline park), will be operated by Habitat’s Greater Vancouver branch. Its official opening is slated for this June.
The Greater Vancouver branch took over local operations when the Upper Fraser Valley affiliate had its membership terminated in May 2018 by Habitat Canada amid allegations that it was more than $500,000 in debt and had exhausted its lines of credit.
This resulted in the closure of the ReStore locations in Abbotsford and Chilliwack and 17 people losing their jobs.
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The stores sell donated and used building materials, furniture and appliances to support the administration costs of Habitat, which builds homes in partnership with families in need.
The homes are sold to families with no down payment and no-interest mortgages.
The UFV branch was based in Abbotsford but also covered Mission, Chilliwack and Hope.
Dennis Coutts, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver, said the new ReStore in Abbotsford has no connections to the former UFV branch.
“We are providing a much-needed community service to which the public has been very welcoming and supportive,” he said of the reason for opening the new ReStore.
Coutts said the Greater Vancouver branch is currently building 19 homes in Mission, and would love to be building homes in Abbotsford.
He said five positions have currently been filled at the new ReStore, with an undetermined number to be hired later.
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