Homeownership Dreams Come True for Two North Battleford Families

Released on July 26, 2017

Two families in North Battleford are official homeowners for the first time, after receiving keys today to their new Habitat for Humanity (Habitat) homes at 1211 106th Street.

The province, through Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, provided $130,000 in financial support to Habitat to help build the duplex. This is also the first Habitat for Humanity project in North Battleford.

“Our government is pleased to support Habitat for Humanity’s first build in this community,” Battlefords MLA Herb Cox said on behalf of Social Services Minister and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation Tina Beaudry-Mellor.  “Our government is committed to supporting families in the greatest need of housing, and it’s exciting to see two local families become proud new homeowners for the first time.  We will continue to work with our partners to meet our housing challenges and keep Saskatchewan strong.”

“Habitat for Humanity Saskatoon is thrilled to see two families moving into their homes in North Battleford,” Habitat for Humanity Saskatoon  Executive Director Barb Cox-Lloyd said. “This project was driven by a dedicated group of local volunteers and donors. Together we can provide families with strength, stability and independence through affordable homeownership.”

The Province’s overall commitment to Habitat for Humanity now totals $9.85 million since March 2009.  This total includes a recent $1 million commitment from the federal-provincial 2016-2018 Social Infrastructure Fund Allocation Increase under the April 2017 agreement with Habitat for Humanity.

Since 2009 Habitat for Humanity has completed or has under construction 172 units in 13 communities around Saskatchewan with investment from the province.  An additional 20 units are conditionally approved.  Habitat for Humanity Saskatoon has now completed 24 homes in Saskatoon, Humboldt and North Battleford.  An additional six homes are under construction in Saskatoon. This totals a $1.57 million investment in these three communities.

Habitat’s innovative delivery model provides opportunities for families to stabilize their housing, and to achieve their homeownership goals.  A key component to Habitat’s model is the “Revolving Build Fund” (Build Fund).  Provincial funding, community donations, and private funds are deposited in the Build Fund and used to construct homes.  Upon completion, an affordable no-interest mortgage is provided by Habitat to partner families with mortgage payments going back into the Build Fund for future builds.  Each partner family selected by Habitat contributes 500 partnering hours in building their home, or other Habitat homes.

Habitat is a non-profit organization working toward a world where everyone has a safe 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 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