Affordable housing is top of mind for more and more people in light of the ever-increasing price of housing and cost of living.
Building affordable units has become part of the political landscape. The County of Simcoe has set a target of creating 2,685 affordable housing units by 2024.
But it’s the local charity, Habitat for Humanity, that’s been in the business of securing housing for those most in need for many years.
This summer, Habitat for Humanity South Georgian Bay (HHSGB) will be building two homes in Stayner, representing its 15th and 16th build.
“There is such a demand in this area,” said Joy Fleury, executive director. “The number of applications has risen dramatically in recent years.”
New mortgage criteria make home ownership more difficult as buyers have to have a higher deposit, Fleury said.
“We know that the need is increasing. Minimum wage has given lower income families a little bit of a boost, but it comes with an increase in the cost of living,” she said.
Luckily for anyone interested in a hand-up with an interest-free mortgage, applications for the Stayner semi-detached structure on Quebec Street are still being taken until March. 16.
The building of new affordable housing benefits the community on several levels, said Fleury.
“We believe strongly that every family needs to build stability through home ownership – to have a place they can call home forever. There is nothing quite like that for the stability of a family,” Fleury said.
The opposite of that is families having to move often due to the un-affordability and unavailability of rentals.
Each Habitat for Humanity build creates an opening in the rental market.
“Anything we can do to move that needle and get families in homes and free up rentals is a step in the right direction.”
Last summer two homes were built in Collingwood within a semi-detached structure at the corner of Peel and Erie streets.
In 2016, a bungalow was built in Wasaga Beach for a single family.
HHSGB purchased the Stayner lot on the open market, but has received support from Clearview Township through waiving the development charges (DCs). The County of Simcoe will also rebate its portion of the DCs.
Each build is completed using a combination of professional and volunteer labour. Typically about 100 people volunteer to assist and dozens of companies donate supplies or labour to complete the project.
HHSGB is looking for volunteers, material donations and welcomes company work parties.
The Stayner homes will be raised bungalows of approximately 1,000 sq. ft. Each will have three bedrooms and a single car garage.
Habitat homes don’t always have garages as modesty is the key but the homes surrounding this build all have garages.
“We build to fit in with the neighbourhood,” Fleury said.
Building permits are being prepared for submission to Clearview Township. The build is expected to begin in May with the basement pour and the build to follow over the summer.
“We are hoping to have the families in in the fall, so they can have their first Christmas in their new homes.”
Anyone interested in applying for the Stayner homes should visit the website and download the application or call 705-446-9542.
Volunteers are needed for the construction committee, fundraising, food committee, volunteer committee, faith relations and family selection and partnering. Volunteer applications are also on the website.
Donations of land for future builds are most welcome, Fleury said.
