One-dollar sale of vacant lot to Habitat for Humanity approved

A derelict home in the city’s downtown that was used by squatters has been demolished and could soon be rebuilt as much-needed affordable housing.

Last year, the Sault Ste. Marie Housing Corp. (SSMHC) purchased a derelict home at 162 Dennis St. to be held for future developments, transferred to another community housing partner or be sold in the future.

“The building has been vacant and in disrepair for several years. It has often been broken into and frequented by squatters,” said Jeff Barban, SSMHC’s director of Community Housing and Development at the time of the purchase in April 2022.

At the time, the home was boarded up and a large hole could be seen in its roof.

The home has since been demolished and on Thursday the SSMHC board approved a proposal to sell the property to Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area for $1.

Reached by phone on Friday, SSMHC chair Luke Dufour said the proposed sale is just the most recent example of the organization’s Investing in Change Fund.

“It enables our procurement committee to purchase dilapidated or derelict housing anywhere in the city, provided the demolition cost and the purchase price nets out to a fair market value of the developable lot,” said Dufour. "Once we have that lot that is ready for development, it’s up to the board to determine the use — whether the Housing Corp. should develop it ourselves or if we want to circulate it to a partner agency for development.”

When the estate sale purchase was approved in April 2022, the $15,000 purchase price of the property and estimated $28,000 cost of demolition equalled a total investment of $43,000.

“It prevented the city from having to go through the courts to tear it down, it prevented the neighbours from having to live next to a building that unfortunately was unable to be properly cared for and was being broken into,” said Dufour. “Now we are seeing this really awesome full circle where Habitat will be building an affordable house there.”

“Not a lot of other DSSABs and municipalities have those kinds of dedicated funds available and hopefully as more people learn about that program maybe we will have more people come and negotiate in good faith to participate,” he added.

Dufour said a new development in the area will be positive.

“Especially with the Youth Hub moving in down the street and with St. Vincent’s in the area — we really don’t want houses sitting derelict anywhere in the city, but especially near those community resources so we are really glad to have that ability to take that direct action,” he said.

At least the last two completed Habitat projects in the Sault were on land provided through SSMHC. Those properties were acquired through tax sales through the City of Sault Ste. Marie by way of the Investing in Change Fund.

Reached by email on Friday, Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area executive director Katie Blunt said the lot is suitable for development. 

”Habitat is constantly seeking new properties to build houses on,” said Blunt. “We are appreciative of the Housing Corp. offering us lots like Dennis Street.”