Province and Habitat for Humanity Break Ground for New Home in Melfort

Released on June 6, 2014

The Government of Saskatchewan, the Melfort Chapter of Habitat for Humanity and other partners and volunteers gathered today at 310 Crawford Avenue West to officially break ground on a new home to support another Habitat partner family achieve their dream of homeownership.  This is the first Habitat for Humanity home in Melfort.

“We are pleased to work together with Habitat for Humanity in its efforts to meet Melfort’s housing needs and to bring homeownership to a local family,” Melfort MLA Kevin Phillips said on behalf of Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation Donna Harpauer.  “Each Habitat build provides families with an opportunity to create a brighter future for themselves, and to strengthen neighbourhoods and communities across the province.  This supports the concept of the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth, which is to make Saskatchewan the best place to live in the country.”

“This is our first chapter build in the community of Melfort,” Habitat for Humanity Prince Albert Board Chairman Morris Sawchuk said.  “We would like to congratulate the volunteers of the city of Melfort and our partners who have committed to providing affordable housing for local families in need of a safe, quality home.”

The single-family home will be approximately 1,000 square feet (93 square metres) and contain four bedrooms.  The City of Melfort donated the land and cost of building permits to help bring the project forward.

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 funding will soon support builds in 12 communities across the province including Regina, Prince Albert, Lloydminster, Saskatoon, Nipawin, Yorkton, Moose Jaw, Humboldt, Duck Lake, Fort Qu’Appelle, Weyburn and now Melfort.

Saskatchewan Housing Corporation now provides $65,000 per home in funding.  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