The local Habitat for Humanity chapter has dedicated a lot of hours over the past 18 months to planning and fundraising for the construction of a new home that will benefit its partner family.
Their efforts are about to enter the next phase.
Committee co-chair Doug Barnstable said they have the money in place to purchase the lot for the home, which will be located on Sillers Street in Solid Rock Developments’ project in the Trojan subdivision.
Habitat for Humanity has received about $84,000 through cash donations and fundraisers, as of June 15. Cash commitments that are coming in during the near future, including grants from the provincial government and a rebate from the city for the lot, amount to approximately $80,000.
Commitments for gifts in kind are $70,000, bringing their total support to around $235,000.
It will cost about $85,000 to purchase the lot, he said, and their budget is around $230,000 for the project.
The home will be about 1,000 square feet.
Barnstable said they will continue to accept donations, since this isn’t the only house the local Habitat for Humanity committee plans on constructing.
“Because we plan to do a house every couple of years, our goal is to try to get some seed money for the purchase of the next lot, because that’s one of the biggest hurdles that we have to get over every time, is to get the money to buy the lot,” said Barnstable.
They will also have costs related to the construction of the house, because they have to purchase materials.
“There will be some contract labour that we will use for a couple of items, just to be sure that we get a good quality job,” said Barnstable.
He is optimistic construction will start in early July. They don’t know how long it will take to complete the land title process, and then he said it will take a week to 10 days to get the building permit.
It will likely take about five months to construct the new home, which means the partner family should be moved in before the end of the year.
“The primary focus is going to be on the construction side, and on the volunteer assistance, things like people being available when we have work, so we can put them to use, and do things like putting up fence or putting in insulation,” said Barnstable.
Painting is another job where they could use assistance.
Some people with special skills have signed up already, he said.
“There are some other people that are involved in things like support in providing snacks for coffee breaks and lunches for volunteers,” said Barnstable. “That’s one of the things we will continue to work on over the next little while to expand that and get more people involved in that area.”
Barnstable said a lot of people showed support during the fundraising. Companies partnered with the committee, and he cited examples such as Murray GM hosting a barbecue and the Southern Plains Co-op donating a portion of their fuel sales last week.
“There have been a lot of other people and individuals within our organization who have been involved,” said Barnstable.
One couple donated a mobile home to the committee, which they sold.
“We really appreciate the people providing funds and gift in kind support,” said Barnstable. “We have many individuals who are providing labour and materials that will be a big part of the construction. A lot of people have volunteered for the actual construction process, and we’ll be getting them involved as soon as we can.”
Last fall the Habitat for Humanity committee revealed Stephanie Bramham and her daughter Teal would be the partner family. The local committee has stated before that the new home won’t be just a handout, as Bramham will need to complete sweat equity during the construction process, and she will also be responsible for payments on a modest mortgage and home maintenance.
He noted Bramham is being patient with the process, but is undoubtedly looking forward to move into the home.
The committee is also continuing to work with its senior advisors, the Regina Habitat for Humanity committee, on such items as the land title and the purchase of the land, and Barnstable said they appreciate the guidance and direction that comes from the Regina committee’s experience.
