Province and Habitat for Humanity Celebrate First Build in Fort Qu’Appelle

Released on June 19, 2014

A Habitat for Humanity partner family can now build their dreams for the future starting with a new home in Fort Qu’Appelle.  Keys were officially presented at a home dedication today.  The four-bedroom single-family home received $50,000 in funding from the province through the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation.  Additional funding to support the project was provided by Mosaic Potash Corporation ($15,000) and the Royal Bank of Canada Foundation ($50,000).  The land was provided by the Town of Fort Qu’Appelle.

Habitat for Humanity Regina, Regina Trades and Skills, and Prairie Valley School Division partnered to involve the Trades and Skills Construction Apprenticeship Program (TASCAP) in building the home located at 298 Craigleith Avenue.  TASCAP engages and trains students in a variety of construction trade areas.  The project provided real life education with students on site daily during the construction of the home.  Qualified instructors led students through the entire build from the foundation up.

“Our government is pleased to support Habitat for Humanity’s outstanding efforts to provide affordable homeownership opportunities for Saskatchewan families in need,” Crown Investments Minister and MLA for Indian Head-Milestone Don McMorris said on behalf of Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation Donna Harpauer.  “This initiative supports the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth, which aims to make Saskatchewan the best place in Canada to live, work and raise a family.”

“We are excited to complete our first Habitat build in Fort Qu’Appelle in partnership with Prairie Valley School Division, Regina Trades and Skills and the TASCAP program,” Habitat for Humanity Regina CEO Kelly Holmes-Binns said.  “TASCAP is a great opportunity for students to gain trades experience while giving back to the community.  This home has been completed with funding from our legacy supporters, the Provincial Government through Saskatchewan Housing Corporation and Mosaic, with additional funding and support from the RBC Foundation and the Town of Fort Qu’Appelle.  These partnerships have provided a local family with a hand up into homeownership for the first time.”

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 supports 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 Melfort.

Saskatchewan Housing Corporation now provides $65,000 per home in funding for homes starting construction.  This is up from the $50,000 per home which was provided up to March 2014. 

Habitat is one of the few organizations whose distinct delivery model continues to provide viable homeownership opportunities for low- to moderate-income families.  Each selected Habitat partner family contributes 500 partnering hours to build their home and other Habitat for Humanity homes, and participates in valuable training and preparation sessions. 

To learn more about Habitat for Humanity and their work across Saskatchewan, visit www.habitat.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Tara Gereaux
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3610