Several families attended a special Habitat for Humanity meeting on July 9. "It was a good turnout. There were a few families who came to the meeting, and took applications home.
Several families attended a special Habitat for Humanity meeting on July 9.
"It was a good turnout. There were a few families who came to the meeting, and took applications home. They will have until July 31 to submit their applications to us," said Coun. Winston Bailey, chair of the Weyburn Habitat for Humanity group.
Residents attending the meeting were able to ask questions about the criteria for becoming a Habitat for Humanity family.
The home is not for free, but there is significant financial obligations for the mortgage. The selection process is based on financial capabilities, income, current living conditions, along with several other specifications.
There are three main criteria for a family who wants to apply for a Habitat home: The first is need, and this is not necessarily financial; for example, an assessment of the family's current living conditions will be considered, such as health and safety, mold, and so on.
The second is the ability to pay a mortgage, with a sustainable full-time job; and the third is the 500 hours of sweat equity.
"There was a lot of discussion around the 500 hours of labour, as that is one of the commitments that must be completed by the family," said Bailey.
"They also wanted to know how much money they should be earning to qualify."
Only families who attended the meeting on July 9 can complete applications. Once those applications are submitted, the selection committee will then review all the applications and pick out the top three.
Those top three will then be sent to the head committee in Regina, and the final decision will be made there. The final selection is expected to be announced before the end of August. Most of the families who attended the special meeting were younger families with children.
This will be the first Habitat for Humanity home in Weyburn. A location will be arranged in the Riverwood Development on the former Souris Valley grounds, once the family is confirmed.
Bailey said that the family will be involved in every step of creating this home. "They will gain self-esteem from being involved in the project. It will build their confidence, and it will give them a sense of ownership too."
It is very important to Habitat for Humanity that the final location matches up with the family's decisions on the home. "They are building a house that will suit their family, and we want to ensure that it will fit on the right lot," said Bailey.
The Habitat for Humanity has set a fundraising target of $250,000, with a $50,000 grant from the province already in hand to kick-start that fund.
The Habitat for Humanity recently received a donation from the Weyburn Co-op, which included $25,000 and providing the non-profit organization with building materials at cost.
