The saying, there’s no place like home, will ring true for one lucky Castlegar family next year.That family will be the recipient of a house built by Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit group which provides newly built homes to those in need.
Griffin Seed who is a board member for Habitat for Humanity said groundbreaking for the home is right around the corner.
“It will happen this year for sure,” promised Seed.“A family has been selected and they are very excited,” he added.Seed said the choice to build a Habitat for Humanity home in Castlegar was an easy choice, especially given today’s economy.
“Land is expensive and you get more bang for your buck in Castlegar.”And it doesn’t hurt one bit when the property was donated to the organization by the City of Castlegar.Despite that gift, the house wouldn’t happen without generous donations of money and labour, including the required 500 “sweat equity” hours required of the future home owner.
“We have fundraised about 85 per cent of the way towards putting the shovel in the ground,” added Seed.Habitat for Humanity relies heavily upon donations and volunteers and is always in need of more of both.Not surprisingly, Castlegar has been generous when it comes to donations and volunteers.
“In Castlegar our volunteer list is growing," informed the spokesperson, "but we are definitely always looking for more.”Work on this current property and planning for the home which will be at 649 – 11th Ave. was started about one year ago.
Seed speculates completion will happen sometime next year.“We never guaranteed completion dates because it all relates to volunteers and lining people up,"he explained.Just like “regular” homeowners, Habitat families make monthly payments on a mortgage, although Habitat for Humanity provides an interest-free mortgage.The house is sold to the selected family at a discount on the fair market value of the home.
If you would like to learn more about Habitat for Humanity, there will be a ceremony and barbecue at the site on Aug. 6 at 2 p.m.
Seed said there are already plans in the works for yet another Habitat for Humanity home in Castlegar.If you would like to volunteer or learn more about Habitat for Humanity, you can find them on the web at http://www.habitatwk.ca/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/habitatwk