Province Helps Habitat for Humanity Build Their First Home in Weyburn

Released on June 4, 2014

A Habitat for Humanity (Habitat) partner family in Weyburn will soon realize the dream of owning their very own home, thanks to $65,000 in funding assistance from the province through Saskatchewan Housing Corporation.

Construction of the home was officially launched today at a sod turning ceremony in Weyburn.  The Habitat project, a first for Weyburn, will be located at 412 Victoria Street and consist of a single-family, three-bedroom bungalow.  Additional support was provided by the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Foundation who provided $15,000 in funding for this build and the Weyburn Co-op who contributed building materials.

“Today is a historic day for the community of Weyburn,” Health Minister and Weyburn-Big Muddy MLA Dustin Duncan said on behalf of Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation June Draude.  “Not only are we celebrating the beginning of the first Habitat for Humanity home in Weyburn, but most importantly, we are helping another Saskatchewan family look to the future with potential and promise.  We are proud to support Habitat and its partners as we continue with the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth.”

“We are excited that the city of Weyburn and its citizens have welcomed Habitat for Humanity with open arms,” Habitat for Humanity Regina CEO Kelly Holmes-Binns said.  “Our chapter committee, lead by Winston Bailey, understands the importance of community in Weyburn and they are doing an outstanding job laying the foundation for this build.  We are excited to begin the first ever Habitat build in Weyburn and we are looking forward to giving the family a hand up into homeownership.”

In the 2014-15 Budget, the province committed an additional $750,000 through the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation to help build an additional 12 new Habitat for Humanity homes throughout Saskatchewan.  This brings the government’s commitment to Habitat for Humanity to a total of $7.85 million since March 2009.

This committed funding has supported builds in 11 communities across the province including Regina, Prince Albert, Lloydminster, Saskatoon, Nipawin, Yorkton, Moose Jaw, Humboldt, Duck Lake, Fort Qu’Appelle and now Weyburn.

Saskatchewan Housing Corporation now provides $65,000 per home in funding to new Habitat home builds.  This is up from the $50,000 per home which was provided up to March 2014.

Each selected Habitat partner family contributes 500 partnering hours to build their home and other Habitat for Humanity homes.  This assists in the development of the Habitat for Humanity community and their neighbourhood.  To learn more about Habitat for Humanity and their work across Saskatchewan, visit www.habitat.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Linda Saliken
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0246