More than $10,000 in tools and supplies stolen from Habitat for Humanity Hamilton

More than $10,000 worth of tools and supplies were stolen, Habitat for Humanity Hamilton organizers say, from their warehouse earlier this month.

The group builds affordable housing for families in desperate need and workers discovered on Oct. 15, the press release says, the warehouse door wide open with supplies strewn about.

They say tools and supplies, including saws, drills and copper pipe, were taken.

Police say they do not yet have any leads on a suspect or suspects.

The group is currently constructing a home on Wilson Street and hope to break ground on four more homes by the end of the year.  

"Many of the families we work with are living in overcrowded and unsafe conditions and everyday we spend trying to recoup what was stolen, is another day future Habitat homeowners need to wait before they can transition into safe, decent and affordable housing," board chair Tom Vert said in the release.

Youth program at risk

Habitat Hamilton also provides students with hands-on experience through its Youth Build Program. The organization says those projects are at risk because of the theft.

In 2013, the organization partnered with Mohawk College and both high school boards to recruit co-op students for the first time. The students, along with volunteers and paid experts, helped build homes for three families comprised of six adults and 13 children.

In lieu of a traditional down-payment, each family contributed 500 hours of work their own home. They also received interest-free, geared-to-income mortgages, with their payments going toward future Habitat projects.

Habitat Hamilton is seeking new or slightly used tools and monetary donations.