VIDEO: Sault family becomes first-time homeowners

The keys to a newly renovated home on Brown Street were presented to a grateful family of five on Tuesday thanks to the Affordable Home Ownership Program – a unique initiative in the Sault that repairs homes and sells them at low-cost to working class families.

Brandon Pollari and his wife Lorretta Nolan, along with their kids Blake, Silas, and Aurora, have been in the same rental house for the past six years, and they’ve never owned their own home.

That all changed today.

“We’re going to be able to be in our new home for Christmas and settled in,” Pollari says. “That’s just the cherry on top of everything. It’s phenomenal.”

The ribbon cutting ceremony marked the second home that the District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board (DSSMSSAB) and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) have delivered since beginning their partnership in 2019.

Social Services purchases homes in need of repair, and they’re restored by Ontario Works clients. Sault College’s Building and Maintenance program also assists with training on a case-by-case basis.

Renovated homes are then made available for purchase to eligible families.

“We made this program to help working folks in the community who can afford the carrying cost of home ownership, but are facing barriers created by high rent, interest rates, and difficulty with saving on the first down payment,” says Luke Dufour, Ward 2 councillor and DSSMSSAB board chair.

Renovations to the Brown Street home included structural improvements and reinforcements as well as electrical rewiring.

The home also features new cabinetry, flooring, siding, windows, doors, drywall, insulation, plumbing, and electrical fixtures.

Pollari says his family got the letter to apply for the Affordable Home Ownership Program around 18 months ago.

While the pandemic created some delays, the father of three says the wait was well worth it.

“They’ve done a quality job,” he says. “We’re super excited to have the opportunity to get the keys to our new home.”

Pollari adds that having their own home will provide them with more space and independence to modify the space, like installing custom shelving, a backyard fence, and a fireplace.

“The kids are super excited,” he says. “They can’t wait to get in. They’re looking forward to designing their rooms and setting things up.”

DSSMSSAB made an initial investment of $299,000 for the program’s start-up in August 2019, and the MMAH visited the Sault in December that same year to announce a $900,000 funding contribution.

The program is designed to be self-funded, meaning the money gained from the sale of a home will be reinvested into a new home renovation.

“In a general sense, homeowners take a lot of pride in their homes, maybe more so than certain types of landlords we experience in this city,” Dufour says. “I think the more folks you can have in some of these older established neighbourhoods in Sault Ste. Marie, the better the whole neighbourhood is going to look.”

The funds from the sale of the Brown Street home will go towards the renovations of the program’s next project on London Street.