Two Yorkton families are now much closer to having a home of their own. The latest Habitat for Humanity build has begun, with the multi-family home set to complete in the new year.
The build is a combination of two theme builds, both firsts for the area. One half of the duplex is the Yorkton Hyundai build, in recognition for the years of donated vehicles that Hyundai has contributed to the local Habitat for Humanity chapter. The other half is the Faith Build, with different Yorkton churches coordinating to raising money for that home.
One of the families moving in Flordeliza Siat and her son Kyle, who have been in Yorkton for five years. Siat says that she is thankful that she’s part of the Habitat build. It is appropriate that the duplex is built with Yorkton’s faith community as a major part of the project, as she believes that it was God’s plan to bring everyone together to build the Habitat homes.
“I was overwhelmed and to tell you honestly, I praised God. I said, Lord, I prayed for this, and you’ve given it to us.”
The family is currently living in the basement of her sister’s family, and have been in the city for five years. They are most looking forward to having the privacy of their own home.
“We’re all sharing everything with one kitchen... It’s nice to have your own place and your own privacy.”
Phoenix Desjarlais is one of the kids who will be moving into the other side of the duplex with her family. She says that it’s exciting to see her home start, and she’s looking forward to having her own room in the new build.
The down payment of a Habitat home involves 500 hours of sweat equity on the part of the homeowner and their family, before getting a no-interest mortgage on the remaining part of the home. Siat says her entire family is going to get involved in the build of her new home.
Kelly Holmes-Binns, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Regina says that having a multi-family home is a first for Yorkton, but they have done it before in Regina. Multi-family homes have been a success in that city, and she says it brings people together.
“It helps to build a community for the families that we partner with.”
The build will start as soon as possible, with the hope to see something in the ground by October 1, says Merv Catchuk, project manager. As it’s the first time they’re doing a multi-family home, it’s difficult to know how long the build will take, because they are building two homes even if it’s on one piece of property.
“I think it’s safe to say we’re looking at a late spring, early summer delivery.”
The timeline will depend on variables like weather and contractor availability.
“The quickest we’ve ever built a home is 100 days, but we don’t think we’ll ever do that again, it was too much of a rush,” Catchuk says.
