BREAKING GROUND - Representatives from Habitat for Humanity, Musgrave Agencies, City of Lloydminster, Western Financial Group and the Government of Saskatchewan participated in a sod turning and lot dedication ceremony last week, kicking off Habitat's 2010 fall build. - Katie Ryan Photo
By Katie Ryan
Thanks to strong community ties, Habitat for Humanity “On the Border” Lloydminster Society broke ground on their latest project.
Musgrave Agencies has teamed up with the non-profit organization, donating land, 1512 - 47A Avenue, enabling Habitat to begin work on their 2010 fall build.
“Our values are housing for all, we believe in self worth, human dignity and we believe in partnerships with people and that’s why we are here today,” said Habitat executive director Dennis Elko to the crowd gathered Friday afternoon at the lot dedication ceremony. “We hope that we are building homes and hope.”
The property is zoned to allow Habitat to build a duplex – a future home for two local families. The biggest challenge for Habitat is acquiring reasonably priced land for the organization’s builds said Elko, thanking Musgrave Agencies for their partial land donation.
“It works out to something that we can afford. In the past land has always been an issue for Habitat. The cost of land is the number one cost for (our organization), so we are quite pleased to get it basically at half the current market value ($95,000),” said Elko.
“The donation will be determined by our market evaluation which is in the process.”
“We think what Habitat has been doing over the last 10 years has been a positive impact in the community, it’s made a difference for families and it was a chance to be part of it,” said Musgrave real estate manager Scott Musgrave.
The Government of Saskatchewan is also pitching in to support the Habitat’s work in the community. Earlier this year the provincial government allotted $1 million to 20 Habitat builds, of which $100,000 will be provided for the local chapter’s new duplex.
“They had a successful project last year and this year they are well on their way to another successful project. It’s very easy to invest in their project when they keep having successes,” said MLA Tim McMillan
Elko and Habitat’s board chair Rowena Epp thanked the organization’s other community partners including Western Financial Group who has donated over $32,000 to the cause, the City of Lloydminster and the Realtors Association of Lloydminster and District.
Families interested in joining Habitat’s home-ownership program as qualified partner families can apply to the program.
“We have several applications on hand for partner families and we (will) do an open house to ensure that everybody in the community has a fair chance at being one of the families selected,” said Elko.
The Habitat for Humanity family partnering open house will be held Sept. 14 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Ken Burke Meeting Room at Lloydminster Public Library, 5010-49 Street. For more information or to pre-register call 825-4611. Drop-ins are welcome.
Volunteers for the 2010 fall build are needed as well. If you’re able to roll up your sleeves and help provide a local family with a “hand up,” fill out an application at the ReStore or visit www.bordercity.com/habitat/ for more information.
“Our mission it to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting home-ownership as a means of breaking the cycle of poverty,” said Elko. “We’ve had generous support from the community in the past and we look forward to generous support from the community in the future.”