Habitat for Humanity builds two new homes in Stayner

Two financially challenged families will move into brand new homes before the end of 2018.

Habitat for Humanity South Georgian Bay – the charity organization that uses volunteers and prospective homeowners to build sale, decent, affordable housing – are constructing 2 new homes in Stayner this summer.

“We’re really excited about these two homes in Stayner,” said Joy Fleury, Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity South Georgian Bay. “The challenge for affordable housing in the Georgian Triangle is greater than it ever has been. Property values are soaring, so it’s harder for people earning lower incomes to get a mortgage through a bank. Habitat for Humanity provides an opportunity for lower income families to own their own homes.”

The recently announced project, the building of two homes (semi-detached) on Quebec Street, will be using volunteers from the general public. Construction on the homes is slated to begin this spring and are scheduled for completion by the end of the year.

“We are currently reaching out to families who have applied for previous builds to update their applications if they want to be considered for this build,” said Fleury. “We are also distributing brochures and expressions of interest throughout the region in public locations and through local schools – watch for brochures and applications in your children’s school bag.” To be part of the selection process for this build, applications have to be received by the end of February.

Habitat is looking for families in need of affordable housing that have the ability to pay a geared to income mortgage, have lived/worked in South Georgian Bay for at least two years and are willing to partner with habitat through sweat equity by volunteering 500 hours of work in the ReStore and on the construction of the homes.

Habitat for Humanity houses are sold to their new owners at a zero interest rate, require no down payment and bases the monthly mortgage installments on 25 per cent of family income.

“No matter who we are, we all deserve to have a decent life. We deserve to feel strength and stability day after day. We deserve to know we have the power to take care of ourselves and build our own futures,” said Fleury. “At Habitat, we know that families have the potential to stand on their own. All they really need sometimes is a helping hand, a way to help themselves so they can build that better life.”

“We’re going to have a variety of volunteer opportunities for the public to get involved in – we’ll need lots of volunteers to build with us this summer, but there are lots of ways to help Habitat build affordable houses without wielding a hammer. We always need action-minded individuals to help on our committees. If you have an interest in planning, fundraising, organizing food or volunteers, publicity or a variety of other important tasks, we need you!”

Habitat is holding a Community Information Session for the public on Wednesday, March 7 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Stayner Brethren in Christ Church. To learn more about the build, find out how you can be involved or just better understand how Habitat operates, the community is encouraged to come out to hear about the upcoming Stayner build. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information on getting involved with Habitat for Humanity, please contact 705-446-9542 or info@habitatgeorgianbay.ca. Families can download an expression of interest from Habitat’s website, habitatgeorgianbay.ca.