Applications being accepted for next Habitat home

NEWS RELEASE
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SAULT STE. MARIE
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Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie and Area (HFHSSMA) is accepting applications for a single-family home at 49 Oakwood Dr. scheduled to commence in the spring.

The program provides individuals and families the opportunity to access a zero-interest, geared to income mortgage. Selection is based on three areas. First, applicants must demonstrate they are in need of safe, affordable housing. Second, there must be sufficient income to cover monthly mortgage payments. Typically, mortgages are a maximum 30-year term, are set between 25 - 30 per cent of total household income, and include property taxes. Third, applicants must be willing to partner with HFHSSMA by contributing 500 hours of voluntary service.

“Homeownership is a dream that many individuals and families within our community will never realize. Down payments, credit scores, and non-flexible mortgage payments are all barriers to a traditional bank loan. Habitat reduces or eliminates those barriers so everyone can have the opportunity of homeownership,” says David Thompson, board chair.

The first home in Sault Ste. Marie was built in 2004 and HFHSSMA has since served 10 families. Home number 11 is near completion. Oakwood Drive will be the 12th home and completion is anticipated by year-end.

Community members that are interested must submit their expression of interest by 18 February 2020 at 4 p.m. Please visit here to submit online. Paper copies are available at the ReStore on 32 White Oak Dr. and at the Habitat for Humanity offices located at 111 Elgin St., Suite 303.

Information sessions will be held at:
    •    Centennial Public Library – Saturday, Feb. 1 from 1 to 2 p.m.
    •    Indigenous Friendship Centre – Monday, Feb. 10 from 12 to 1 p.m.
    •    Centennial Public Library – Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 7 to 8 p.m.

“We know there are specific populations within our community, and across Canada, that have additional challenges to housing, including indigenous, new-comers, single parents, seniors, and individuals with accessibility needs. At a local level, we are reaching out to organizations that work with priority groups to ensure equitable access to Habitat’s affordable homeownership program,” Executive Director, Katie Blunt reports.

As a non-profit, HFHSSMA relies on the generosity of volunteers, donors, corporate sponsors and the community. This is the first year in the organization’s history it has completed one build and immediately started another. If you are interested in volunteering or contributing financially to affordable homeownership in the community please contact Pauline Pennett, resource coordinator, at [email protected].

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