By Jessica Jones Special to The Pipestone Flyer
Another local family will soon be receiving keys to a Wetaskiwin Habitat for Humanity home, making it the 14th family served in the community.
Since 2010, 13 families have been served by Habitat for Humanity in the community’s three duplexes, said Habitat president and CEO Karen Stone.
“What Habitat offers is a golden opportunity for these families,” she said.
“We know that children do better at school, make the honours list, and go on to tertiary education when they live in a stable environment and we are thrilled to be a part of this new family’s journey.”
Stone explained that a previous family is moving out of one duplex to purchase their own home, leaving the home available to another family, which is being selected shortly.
She explained that a common misconception when it comes to Habitat for Humanity homes is that it can be assumed homes are provided outright to families, much like a lottery, but this is not the case. Instead, rather, Habitat for Humanity “helps springboard” families into the mainstream real estate market and gives them the opportunity to save for down payments and build equity, and eventually become home owners themselves.
A selection criterion is put in place for families to qualify for a Habitat for Humanity home, with an additional caveat that the family has to put in 500 hours over a year in “sweat equity” working on the home or on other Habitat projects.
Stone said that Wetaskiwin has an active local Habitat for Humanity committee who have “been working very hard on the ground” to serve families and that any expansion of Habitat for Humanity homes in Wetaskiwin would be prompted by the community.
