A small crowd gathered in front of a newly built house on Sillers Street in Estevan last Monday to celebrate the completion of the Habitat for Humanity Estevan-Regina chapter’s newest house, and to cut a ribbon to welcome the new homeowners into their house.
The chapter representatives, dignitaries, volunteers and sponsors came together to officially welcome the Boreski/Lewis family into their new home. While the construction was completed at the end of last year, allowing Chris and Holly and their children, Zach, Darien, James and Savanna to move in on New Year’s Eve, the official key ceremony was pushed back due to the pandemic.
“We are excited to be in Estevan today to celebrate with Chris, Holly and their children! They have worked hard to purchase their new home and we are proud of our partnership with this family,” said Kelly Holmes-Binns, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Regina. “The Habitat for Humanity Regina-Estevan chapter committee has done an amazing job of bringing people together – sponsors, donors and volunteers – to empower this family on their journey to homeownership. We would like to express our gratitude for the support of the community – you have made this day possible for the Boreski/Lewis family.”
The ceremony was attended by Souris-Moose Mountain MP Robert Kitchen, Estevan MLA and Government Relations Minister Lori Carr, Mayor Roy Ludwig and several people in one way or another involved with the project.
“Chris and Holly have dreamed of having a safe, decent and affordable home, but needed a helping hand, not a hand-out, to achieve this dream. We all know the importance of having a home. A home brings stability to the family. It’s a place where we make memories, chart our kids’ growth on a doorframe, entertain family and friends or just simply put our feet up after a long day of work,” said Carr in her speech. “I’m pleased that this home is a joint effort between Habitat for Humanity, Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Saskatchewan Housing Corporation and community, partners and volunteers.”
Construction of the house began in late July 2019. Most of the house was completed last year, and volunteers still worked hard alongside the family this spring to finish up the siding and landscaping after the family moved in.
“The week of Christmas was the busiest,” recalled Holly Boreski. “Doug (Barnstable) worked long hours with Chris to get us into our home. I learned Habitat isn't just about homeownership, it also helps build relationships and so much more. The last six months in our home have been amazing a dream come true. Leaving that trailer was a blessing and I thank God for the help of Habitat for Humanity.”
The Boreski/Lewis family has purchased their new home at fair-market value through the Habitat Homeownership Program and will pay a zero-down payment, interest free mortgage that is set at 25 per cent of their gross annual income.
Building this home was made possible through $65,000 in funding through the federal and provincial governments and $10,000 from the City of Estevan. Besides, the permit costs were waived, and the lot was discounted by another $10,000.
The chapter also received generous in-kind and monetary donations from numerous local businesses and individuals. Thanks to the generosity of the community, through cash donations and volunteer hours, Estevan has provided another homeownership opportunity to a hardworking, low-income family.
“We appreciate all the hard work that Estevan Habitat for Humanity along with our community volunteers have accomplished. One of the most important things that families can have is shelter, although we take this for granted, many people do not have this privilege. I would like to thank our federal and provincial partners; without their help this success story would not be possible,” said Ludwig.
Ludwig added that volunteers are the backbone of any community, and Estevan, in his opinion, has the greatest volunteers in the entire country.
“Thank you to our donors of funds and gifts-in-kind even during an economic downturn in the southeast. Your participation in funding this build allowed us to get the Boreski/Lewis family moved into their new home at the end of 2019. Fundraising, though impacted significantly by COVID-19, will be an ongoing process to prepare for our future builds. Watch for opportunities in the days and months ahead to support the Habitat Regina-Estevan chapter,” said Doug Barnstable, who is the chapter chairperson.
During the ceremony, he also acknowledged the volunteers who’ve spent hundreds of hours at the sight alongside the family that had to put in 400 hours as a part of the program. Boreski recalled their experience with participating in the program, raising money for it and building their future house as something very special.
“The time spent on the build was simply amazing. They (Habitat volunteers) treated me like family, teaching me new things and being so patient with me. I appreciate them all for all their hours,” said Boreski.
And while it was a real construction process that took time, effort and dedication, Chris Lewis said that this was a unique chance for them, and he would recommend anyone who thinks that becoming a homeowner is impossible for them to consider participating in Habitat for Humanity’s future projects.
“Just being involved personally with building everything, just watching it progressing, it didn’t really feel like we bought the house and moved in. It was already home before we even moved in just because of the fact that we were hands-on and so heavily involved with everything right from the start to the end,” said Lewis.
“I honestly would recommend it to anybody. If you don’t think that homeownership is a possibility, it is. You just have to turn around and put the work in … That’s been very lifechanging for all of us.”
Lewis added that looking forward he definitely plans to step forward and support Habitat for Humanity when the time comes for their next project.
