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Habitat for Humanity opening building supplies store in Castlegar

Habitat for Humanity Southeast B.C. will open a ReStore at 4400 Minto Rd. soon.
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FILE — The new Habitat for Humanity Southeast B.C. build on 72nd Avenue in Grand Forks. A similar store will be built in Castlegar. (Della Mallette/Black Press)

Habitat for Humanity is opening a building supplies and furniture store in Castlegar that will raise money for its local housing projects.

Habitat for Humanity Southeast B.C. will be opening a ReStore at 4400 Minto Rd. soon.

The store will sell building supplies and furniture that are new or gently used.

“We are fortunate that we have some corporate sponsors like Home Depot and some different chains that donate new products, so it’s not just all used stuff,” explains Andre Boruck, manager of the Castlegar ReStore. “And those things are usually sold at like half the value of what you’d find them for in the store.”

ReStore is also seeking donations of used furniture or appliances from local residents, and is able to do some pick ups on larger items as well.

“It’s nice if instead of sending it to the landfill or if they don’t know what to do with it, they can give us a call,” says Boruck.

There are a few things the ReStore won’t take: mattresses, pianos or organs.

Those interested in donating can reach Andre Boruck at 250-365-3497.

The new store is also looking for volunteers. Anyone interested can drop by the store from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Habitat for Humanity has 100 ReStores across Canada and 1,000 across North America.

“Most major cities in the United States have a Habitat for Humanity ReStore,” says Boruck.

Money raised in the ReStore will stay in the community to help with the construction of housing units or doors, as Habitat for Humanity refers to them.

“It’s mostly for people who are working but wouldn’t qualify for a conventional mortgage. They’re maybe under the income threshold or they don’t have the money for a down payment, so we give them an interest-free, down-payment-free mortgage, based on their income,” explains Boruck.

Those who successfully apply for a Habitat for Humanity home must also donate a certain amount of sweat equity — 500 volunteer hours.

Anyone interested in applying for housing through Habitat for Humanity Southeast B.C. can visit hfhsebc.org/home-ownership.

Habitat for Humanity Southeast B.C. currently has one home in Castlegar and a total of 21 homes within its area. Another three doors are currently being built in Grand Forks as part of the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project — a project to build 150 homes for Canada’s 150th anniversary.

Local branches will have more information on whether or not they are currently accepting applications.