Released on June 17, 2015
A Habitat for Humanity partner family in Fort Qu’Appelle are now homeowners, with support from the province and Habitat for Humanity Regina. The single family, bungalow-style home received $65,000 in funding from the province through the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC). The project is also supported by Enbridge Pipelines Inc. and the Town of Fort Qu’Appelle.
“Our government relies on strong partnerships to strengthen communities and bring homeownership opportunities to Saskatchewan families,” Deputy Premier and Indian Head-Milestone MLA Don McMorris said, on behalf of Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation Donna Harpauer. “Owning a home is a milestone in many people’s lives, and we are proud to work with Habitat and its many partners to help families achieve this goal. Together, we are working to keep Saskatchewan strong by providing safe and affordable housing to all Saskatchewan citizens.”
“TASCAP students continue to make a significant contribution to Habitat for Humanity each year, with the completion of another home in Fort Qu’Appelle,” Habitat for Humanity Regina CEO Kelly Holmes-Binns said. “As students learn new skills and gain trades experience, they are giving back to the community. Together, Habitat for Humanity Regina and TASCAP have a direct impact on the future of our community by expanding students’ career options and building homes so hard-working, low-income Saskatchewan families can break the cycle of poverty through home ownership.”
Habitat for Humanity Regina, Regina Trades and Skills, and Prairie Valley School Division worked in partnership to involve the Trades and Skills Construction Apprenticeship Program (TASCAP) in Fort Qu’Appelle. TASCAP provides high school students with real-life education and relevant training in a variety of construction trade areas. All students participating in TASCAP are on-site daily, building a home for Habitat partner families. Qualified instructors lead students through the entire build from the foundation up.
The home, located at 288 Craigleith Avenue in Fort Qu’Appelle, is a four-bedroom bungalow approximately 976 square feet or 90 square metres on each of the main and lower level.
Since March 2009, the province’s overall commitment to Habitat totals $7.85 million and includes the January 2013 approval of $0.60 million from the province’s Summit Action Fund. This funding supports builds in 12 communities across the province including Duck Lake, Fort Qu’Appelle, Humboldt, Lloydminster, Melfort, Moose Jaw, Nipawin, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, Weyburn and Yorkton.
The province now provides $65,000 per home in funding for homes starting construction. This is up from the $50,000 per home which was provided prior to March 2014. Habitat’s innovative delivery model provides opportunities for families to stabilize their housing, and to achieve their homeownership goals. Each partner family selected by Habitat contributes 500 partnering hours in building their home, or other Habitat homes.
To learn more about Habitat for Humanity and their work across Saskatchewan, visit www.habitat.ca.
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For more information, contact:
Leya Moore
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3610
Email: leya.moore@gov.sk.ca