Rosemary Manarin and Josh Snauwaert both spoke about different Habitat for Humanity projects they have been involved with on Friday, May 10 at the Castlegar United Church.
The faith based, non-profit, and non-government organization has been in existence in Canada since 1985 and is working to provide affordable housing and home ownership to low-income earners.
Manarin presented an interesting slide show of photographs detailing her trip to Guatemala to assist in building homes for locals, which provided a unique insight into the daily work and lives of those in the Central American country.
Snauwaert, one of 10 directors for Habitat for Humanity West Kootenay, spoke about the work being done locally.
Habitat for Humanity West Kootenay has previously built a total of three homes in the Nelson area, including one duplex. Their most recent build took place in Castlegar just behind Kootenay Market.
Snauwert said homes are typically built through the hard work of volunteers, donors and sponsors in addition to the family moving in.
Any family in need can apply and they don't need a downpayment on the house. The downpayment happens in the form of community service hours and work on the house.
Snauwert said homes are now assessed at fair market value with agreements in place to ensure recipients of homes don't "flip" them in a short time frame.
"They pay for the house in the long run and they build equity for the future," he said.
For more information on the work of Habitat for Humanity locally, visit www.habitatwk.ca