Habitat for Humanity chapters merge to form provincial organization

By Teena Monteleone

Habitat for Humanity will have 31 new builds across Saskatchewan this year, but the homes aren’t the only thing undergoing significant construction.

The organization is merging its chapters from Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon to form Habitat for Humanity Saskatchewan.

“It’s going to allow us to work off each other’s strengths and create some efficiencies in the system since we won’t be trying to duplicate tasks each other has already done,” Gary Gurtler from the Prince Albert office said. “Ultimately, it will allow us to build more houses in the province.”

In terms of day-to-day operations, both Prince Albert and Saskatoon will continue to have administrative offices, with the organization’s head office located in Regina. The Habitat ReStore will remain in all three communities under one director.

“There will be efficiencies like common point of sales systems between the ReStores or common software with accounting, but cost savings was not the motivation,” Bruce Anderson, inaugural board chair for Habitat for Humanity Saskatchewan, said. “The motivation was to be able to access greater provincial partnerships, greater opportunities in terms of purchasing and to be a little more coordinated in the way we do things provincially.”

Early this year, Habitat Saskatoon laid off four staff members. In a press release the organization said three of those positions didn’t align well with the new structure. Anderson said no job losses were expected in Prince Albert as a result of the merger and suggested instead some staff will see growth in terms of opportunity.

The provincial organization was officially incorporated effective Jan. 1 2021 but the merger work plan will be implemented over the next year. In the meantime, it’s business as usual for staff and volunteers who built three houses in Prince Albert last year. This year four families will be selected for homes.

“It gives families a leg up. It allows people to get into an affordable house without making a down payment and that benefit is provided by the construction process,” Anderson said. “They can get equity in the house they build. The home is essential in the development of strong and stable families.”

To become a Habitat homeowner, families must be in a need of safe and affordable housing and meet basic requirements like having a stable household income of between $32,000 and $66,500 and lived in Canada for at least three years. In addition, families are required to contribute 500 volunteer hours toward building their homes.

Conexus pledges $1 million donation

Conexus Credit Union is supporting Habitat Saskatchewan’s new provincial focus by pledging a donation of $1 million to build 80 homes across the province over four years. Chief Executive Officer Eric Dillion said in a press release, the mission of Conexus Credit Union is to improve the financial wellbeing of their members and communities and Habitat Saskatchewan’s mission of promoting homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty is a natural alignment.

“Together with Habitat for Humanity, we recognize it is only when someone’s basic human needs are met can the lives of these hardworking families be transformed, helping them take control and improve their financial wellbeing,” Dillon said.

In 2021, a duplex will be built for two families in Saskatoon, 17 townhomes will be constructed in Regina in addition to five single homes. Habitat Saskatchewan will build a duplex in Moose Jaw for two families and a single home in Yorkton.