Getting a home from Habitat for Humanity is something that can change a family's life, but it's also not an easy task. The application process has begun for the third and fourth families for Yorkton Habitat builds, with a town hall meeting providing the first step to home ownership for local families.
Donna Evans with Habitat for Humanity notes that the information meeting is the first step for a habitat family, and it's the only place where they can get the information and applications necessary to start the journey towards home ownership. The meeting attracted approximately 22 area families who are working towards owning their own homes.
"They must attend one of these meetings because they have to understand what the expectations are for becoming a Habitat homeowner," Evans says.
The application process is a lengthy one, and involves many steps before a family is selected, to ensure that the family can afford a Habitat mortgage. Evans says they hope to have families chosen before March, one for a third build which has already begun, and one for a build which is planned to start in 2012. In terms of the builds themselves, Evans says it's going well, with buildings being closed in to allow interior work over the winter. The third build, which is a renovation of an older home, has been moved on to the foundation. They hope to get the second build completed and the family moved in during March.
The event also saw the families that have already been selected talk about what Habitat for Humanity means to them.
"Cory Anderson expressed it's really neat, having a home of your own means that your kids can learn that if you work hard your dreams can come true, and it means that no matter what the kids grow up to be and no matter how far they move, they'll always have a home to return to," Evans recalls.
Habitat for Humanity may be working to select the next family, but that's not all the work they need. Volunteers are always necessary, and all those willing to help can call 78-BUILD to participate in the projects.
