Habitat for Humanity (HRM) South Shore Chapter is nearly financially prepared for its Queens County “build” in 2008 but still needs volunteers and a commitment from the community in general.
Department of Community Services Minister, Judy Streatch recently handed out funds, after a lobbying effort, to the Halifax Regional Municipality chapter on the condition homes are built outside the metropolitan area.
Because the South Shore chapter is the only organization existing outside of Halifax Regional Municipality, Community Relations spokesperson, Hank Middleton says $25,000 of the provincial funds will be utilized to complete an ongoing Bridgewater build while another $25,000 has been set aside for Queens County in 2008.
He says the organization’s call for a donation of land is starting to get results although nothing is firm at this point.
“Now that we’ve got $25,000 we need some people.” The organization only requires $45,000 to start a build and provide a family with an affordable home. Recipients must also volunteer for the organization.
He says Lunenburg County is well represented on the organization’s board of directors but no one has stepped forward in Queens County.
The organization needs volunteers who know how to network to get in-kind and monetary donations, for example, from businesses and individuals. A corporate leader or leaders would be helpful as well, Middleton says. Louisiana Pacific Canada in East River, which manufactures and has donated numerous building products such as siding, is a leader in Lunenburg Co.
Of course, they will also need volunteers, including professionals, to help build the new Queens County home.
After talking with Region of Queens Mayor John Leefe, Middleton adds, he is confident the municipality will support the effort in some manner. No promises or requests have been made at this early point.
In addition, Middleton says, the group of volunteers require a site manager from Queens, “who can pop in when needed.”
In Bridgewater, a carpenter is ensuring volunteers and professionals have the proper equipment and are receiving materials in a “timely manner” in addition to ensuring health and safety regulations are maintained.
The Bridgewater land was donated and Habitat will get a free water and sewer hook-up. Also in Bridgewater, the organization has received large donations of lumber, discounts on constructing the foundation, and donated roofing materials, trusses and an air ventilation system.
One person has even agreed to paint the new home.
“We expect it to be completed over the winter and then we’ll be looking at Liverpool,” Middleton says. “The good thing is we have $25,000 in the pot already. The big issue is can we get some volunteers on board to support the build?”
He says every home that is built provides the organization with revenue through, albeit low, mortgage payments, making additional builds easier. The initial builds are the most difficult because all the funds must be raised, which is why the government grant is so important.
He says volunteers will enjoy the build the most. In Bridgewater, “on any given day,” six to 10 volunteers are working on the home.
“It’s been a good effort. What we’ve enjoyed the most is all the camaraderie around the site.”
For more information, contact President Robert Boudreau at 543-7879 or Middleton at 521-5177 or hbmiddleton@eastlink.ca. The web address is
www.habitatsouthshore.ca.
