Dream of Homeownership to Come True for Two Yorkton Families

Released on September 4, 2015

The Government of Saskatchewan is partnering with Habitat for Humanity (Habitat) to build homes for two Yorkton families and assist them to secure a more promising future.  The homes will receive $130,000 ($65,000 for each home) in funding support from the provincial government through Saskatchewan Housing Corporation.  A groundbreaking ceremony for the homes was held today at 304 Myrtle Avenue.

“Today’s groundbreaking is another example of our government’s support for Habitat for Humanity and its work to empower Saskatchewan families to experience the stability that comes with owning a safe, quality home,” Rural and Remote Health Minister and Yorkton MLA Greg Ottenbreit said on behalf of Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation Donna Harpauer.  “There are many hands involved in each Habitat build.  We are proud to work with Habitat and its partners to create affordable housing and keep Saskatchewan strong.”

“We are happy to see work begin on the sixth Habitat home build in Yorkton, and look forward to supporting many more in our community,” Yorkton Mayor Bob Maloney said.

“Support from the community is key to providing low-income, hard-working families with the opportunity for homeownership,” Habitat for Humanity Regina CEO Kelly Holmes-Binns said.  “These homes will provide two local families with a brighter future.  The tremendous support we receive from the provincial government through Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, private companies, and individuals allows us to continue helping families break the cycle of poverty through homeownership.”

This will be the first duplex built by Habitat for Humanity in Yorkton.  The project will be a bi-level, with each home containing four bedrooms and a completed basement.  Each home will be approximately 1,010 square feet or 94 square metres across the main floor.

Since March 2009, the Government of Saskatchewan has committed $7.85 million to Habitat Saskatchewan chapters for low- to moderate-income families across the province in 13 communities: Duck Lake, Fort Qu’Appelle, Humboldt, Lloydminster, Melfort, Moose Jaw, Nipawin, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, Weyburn and Yorkton.

In March 2014, the Government of Saskatchewan agreed with Habitat’s request for all new and any remaining funds to be made available to Habitat at $65,000 per unit compared to earlier funding of $50,000 per unit.

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.

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization working toward a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live.  The organization mobilizes volunteers and partners to build homes that provide families of low-income with access to affordable homeownership.

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