The editor:
It is great to hear that Estevan will once again be supporting a Habitat for Humanity home. I'm fully in support of any initiative that offers a family a place to live and raise their children while continuing to support our city.
Though when the first build occurred, I questioned the route that was being taken to develop the property. I am once again left scratching my head.
A quick search shows that there are just under 200 residential properties for sale in Estevan. Yet, the decision was made to build a new home to add to our overall property inventory.
Across North America, Habitat for Humanity has increasingly opted to renovate homes in established neighborhoods instead of new builds. Why then are we not looking at renovating an affordable home in Estevan? This will support local businesses by purchasing materials through them. The local Habitat chapter can also reach out to agencies such as Estevan Diversified Services to assist with renovations and perhaps even involve students from the Estevan Comprehensive School shop classes.
I urge the Estevan habitat chapter to take a look at the economics of how a renovation could better serve the community.
Justin Pearce
Estevan
