The committee that is trying to build a home in Estevan through Habitat for Humanity believes they have taken another step forward.
Local Habitat for Humanity steering committee chair Doug Barnstable, secretary Calven Johnson and treasurer Dan Jenish spoke to members of Estevan city council on Monday night. They explained what they would need from the city, and provided an update for council.
Barnstable said afterwards that he was encouraged by the meeting, not only because council seemed receptive to the committee’s efforts, but they also had another chance to create awareness of their efforts.
“To have the city council supporting us as they have, has been encouraging,” said Barnstable.
He believes the best thing the city could provide would be land.
“They have indicated the possibility that they might contribute something toward the purchase of a lot to assist in that area, which would be very helpful,” he said.
Mayor Roy Ludwig is pleased Estevan now has a Habitat for Humanity chapter. He noted Weyburn has had one for a few years, which has led to a home being built for a family in that city.
“I think it bodes well for Estevan to get lower income housing in place for our people who need it, and I’m very excited about it,” said Ludwig.
Ludwig believes the city could supply the land for a new house to be constructed, and they could also waive the costs for services such as water connections and building permits.
The city currently has some smaller lots available in the Trojan subdivision. There are non-serviced lots available elsewhere, too.
The mayor also suggested there is land available on some church properties.
“Trojan is, right now, where we’re focusing,” said Ludwig.
The local Habitat for Humanity committee has spent the first few months of the year getting organized. They were formed on Feb. 1, as an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity in Regina, and they developed a memorandum of understanding.
They are looking for more people to join their committee.
“The community has been very supportive,” said Barnstable. “We’ve had lots of people suggest they’d be available for construction. They’re just waiting for us to be able to give them a call, and say, ‘here’s something we need some help with.’”
Their focus has been on organizational efforts, so they haven’t started fundraising yet. The provincial government has contributed to Habitat for Humanity projects elsewhere in the province.
They need to have 80 per cent of the costs of the new home in place before construction can begin. They hope to have the money by next February.
The local committee plans to have an open house later this year, so that prospective families can obtain an application form to become a member-family through Habitat for Humanity. And then the local committee will have to review applicants’ finances and determine the family’s ability to pay the mortgage.
“They have to meet the same kind of mortgage requirements as a bank or a credit union (would require), but without having to have a down payment, and with having zero per cent interest,” said Barnstable.
He stressed that while Habitat for Humanity’s goal is to build affordable housing for families, and to promote home ownership to end poverty, the organization does not provide a hand-out. The partnering family faces a lot of obligations during the construction phase and after moving in.
“There is some criteria that we have to review that Habitat has established over a lot of years,” said Barnstable.
The partner family cannot own their own home, their annual income has to be in the $32,000 to $52,000 range; they must have resided in Estevan for the last two years; they must have a stable income; and they must be willing to partner with Habitat for Humanity for 500 hours of “sweat equity” during construction.
Habitat for Humanity prefers that the partner family have children under 18 years of age, although they will accept families with children older than 18.
Also, volunteers who help out during the construction process need to meet safety standards.
The home will be safe and well-built, and in the neighbourhood of 1,000 to 1,100 square feet.
Barnstable is confident construction can begin next April, and the home will be ready for occupancy in October 2017.
