Habitat for Humanity set to break ground in April

By Rebecca Friesen

Nipawin's own Habitat for Humanity held an open informational meeting explaining to the citizens what the charity does and how they do it.

Morris Sanchuk, president of the Habitat for Humanity in Prince Albert, talked about the five year plan with a new house being built every year.

The estimated cost for each house to build is around $100,000 with the provincial government granting $50,000.

The Town of Nipawin also stepped up to be a part of the plan and donated five lots, three of which are close to Wagner school.

The project is intended to help families get into affordable housing with no down payment and no interest on the principle loan.

There are three main things the committee looks at when reviewing the applications.

One: need, two: willingness to participate, and three: ability to repay the mortgage.

The family has many responsibilities and there will only be one family picked.

There are many criteria a family must meet and follow in order to be approved and accepted to become a part of the project.

First any family can apply as long as their total yearly house income is less than $52,000 including child tax and GST checks.

Second, that same family will have to undergo interview with the Habitat for Humanity committee and have credit and criminal record checks done.

These houses are not available for single people but are acceptable for single parent families.

Thirdly, the family must be willing to put in 500 hours of what the project calls "sweat equity". The family can divide the hours however they want and can even ask extended family help but the hours must be completed for the family to stay in the house.

Also, once the family is chosen and in the house, the committee will do checks on the house to make sure everything is ok with the property and the family.

This project needs lots of community volunteers and won't work without support. The estimated date to break ground is April 15, 2012 and the house will be worked on mostly on weekends to allow volunteers to be there.

"This is all about neighbours helping neighbours and is a hand up not a hand out and that's why our system works", said Sanchuk.

Terry Slusar, grain manager from Bunge, talked about volunteer recruitment and what it's going to take from the community.

There will be a need for food to feed all the workers, supplies, safety equipment, project managers, and anyone that would like to come out and help. You don't have to have any building experience you just have to want to help. There will always be someone there to teach and oversee the project.

Nipawin will be the first town in Saskatchewan to have the Habitat for Humanity projects work for them. Usually the projects only run in the city.

Charitable receipts will also be given for every donation received and if anyone is interested in picking up an application, they are available at the town office or the Oasis Community Center.

The deadline for the applications is Jan. 20.

If anyone is interested in being a part of the Habitat for Humanity Committee or wants some information on what they can do to help out, you can contact Doug Lowe or Doug Writherow at 862-5551 or Kevin Isaacson, Branch Manager of the Diamond North Credit Union at home 276-5943 or on his cell at 276-8139.