PROVINCE AND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY LAUNCH CONSTRUCTION OF SEVEN HOMES FOR REGINA FAMILIES

Released on June 22, 2012

Seven Habitat for Humanity partner families in Regina will soon receive keys to a home of their own, thanks to $350,000 in funding assistance from the Government of Saskatchewan through Saskatchewan Housing Corporation to help Habitat for Humanity undertake the builds. A sod-turning ceremony was held today at 1214 Robinson Street in Regina to officially kick off the construction of the seven projects.

"We are pleased to partner with Habitat for Humanity build homes and communities and, most importantly, dreams of homeownership for seven more Regina families," Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation June Draude said. "This ambitious goal is the result of the commitment of government, Habitat staff, volunteers, donors and partners working together to make a difference. This spirit of co-operation and partnership is what makes Saskatchewan such a great place to live, work, get an education, raise a family and, essentially, build a life."

"Engaging the community, individuals, corporate sponsors and Saskatchewan Housing Corporation in our vision, where everyone has a safe and decent place to live, is such an important part of what we do," Habitat for Humanity Regina CEO Dennis Coutts said. "One hundred per cent of the dollars donated by this community to help us build homes for low-income, hard-working families go to build homes. We are fortunate to have the ReStore, which sells new and used household and construction materials, which pays our costs and covers our administration. We pay our own way and with your support, we help families achieve their dreams of homeownership. I thank the Government of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, every individual, every business and every corporation who has supported us and helped families break the cycle of poverty."

The Habitat for Humanity builds are located at 1214 Robinson Street; 1767 Toronto Street; 1203 Rae Street; 809 Cameron Street; 1409 Retallack Street; 861 Retallack Street; and 123 Rothwell Crescent in Regina. Each partner family selected by Habitat for Humanity will contribute a minimum of 500 hours of volunteer labour toward the building of their home and other Habitat homes.

Since 2009, the province has dedicated $4.5 million in funding for Habitat for Humanity affiliates and chapters in Regina, Moose Jaw, Saskatoon, Yorkton, Prince Albert, Lloydminster, Nipawin and Humboldt to help build a total of 90 homes across the province. Saskatchewan Housing Corporation has advanced $2.8 million of the $4.5 million available to Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the province to assist in the delivery of 56 homes for families. Habitat for Humanity anticipates a total of 35 construction starts throughout Saskatchewan in 2012.

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization working toward a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. The organization mobilizes volunteers and partners to build homes that provide families of low-income with access to affordable homeownership.

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For more information, contact:

Andrew Dinsmore
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8689