Clearview waives fees for Stayner Habitat build

Clearview council has agreed to waive the development charge fees for an upcoming Habitat for Humanity build in Stayner, and is investigating the possibility of waiving the building permit fees as well.
The request was brought forward by Habitat for Humanity South Georgian Bay past chair Andrew Turnbull and executive director Joy Fleury who said that they have had challenges due to the pandemic and any savings they could find for this summer’s build could be passed on to another build scheduled for Stayner the following year and all future homes.
Not only did the pandemic cause closures of the Restore, which is a main source of income for the organization, it has also increased the need for affordable housing, said Turnbull.
“Renters these days find themselves paying an exorbitant amount – 60 per cent, sometimes 70-75 per cent – of their take-home income on substandard rental accommodation,” he told councillors.
The problem, he said, has only been exacerbated by the current housing market, which has prompted landlords to sell their rental properties to cash in on the high value of the asset.
Setting people up with affordable housing does a lot to improve a family’s health and reduces the burden of health care costs on the rest of society, he said.
“Selling a mortgage specifically tied to income allows for things such as dietary concerns, quality of food, and extracurricular activities to take place,” said Turnbull.
This summer’s build will be on an infill lot at 219 John St. in Stayner and next year’s is slated for the connecting lot on Christopher Street.
Habitat for Humanity sets people up in a home with an interest-free mortgage. Only 25 per cent of the owners’ gross combined family income goes toward a combined mortgage and property tax payment. The organization is founded on the belief that decent, affordable housing is a basic human right. It partners with low-income families, who currently live in substandard housing, are willing to volunteer 500 hours of “sweat equity” and can repay a zero-down payment, interest-free mortgage over an average 35-year period.
For more information about applying to become a homeowner, volunteering on a build and donating, visit habitatgeorgianbay.ca. Donations of skilled trades, product, materials, and services are welcome.

File photo