Regina Habitat project to train high school students

REGINA — Habitat for Humanity in Regina broke ground on 11 new homes last month.

The units are part of Haultain Crossing, Habitat’s multi-unit family housing development which will house a total of 62 Habitat partner families in townhouse-style condos upon completion.

“By providing an interest free, zero down payment mortgage that is set at 25 per cent of the family’s income, our homeownership program allows families to have a better quality of life and begin building equity in their future,” said Kelly Holmes-Binns, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Regina in a press release. “Thanks to the support of our amazing donors and volunteers, these 11 new families are beginning a journey that will provide strength, stability and self-reliance.”

The project will also be a learning opportunity for young aspiring tradespeople. Habitat and the Trade and Skills Construction Apprenticeship Program are partnering together to engage and train high school students during construction.

Students will receive on-the-job training and are onsite daily for an entire semester during construction. Instructors will lead students through the build from the foundation up, while students earn credits through the program and apprenticeship hours that can be put towards future training.

Future residents will also be lending a hand.

Each partner family selected by Habitat for Humanity contributes 500 partnering hours in building their home or other Habitat homes.

The federal government and the Province of Saskatchewan jointly contributed $675,000 to build the homes under the Canada-Saskatchewan Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement.

The City of Regina provided $15,000 for each of the 11 homes for a total of $165,000. Private sponsorship for the homes came from Farm Credit Canada, Sherwood Co-op Gas and Food Stores, Co-op refinery complex and The Mosaic Company.

“All Canadians deserve access to housing,” said Ralph Goodale, minister of public safety, in the release. “All over the country our government is collaborating with partners like Habitat to produce positive housing outcomes for families. Adding another 11 homes to Haultain Crossing is a real shot in the arm for this project, and another positive step for our efforts to address the community’s housing needs.”