Saugeen First Nation and Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce have signed a memorandum of understanding for a Habitat building energy-efficient and affordable houses for band member families on Saugeen’s territory in 2021.
A release says, in the agreement, Habitat will organize the construction of four, three-bedroom houses using community volunteers and local contractors. The families who will live in the new homes will be selected by the band and will be required to complete 500 hours “sweat equity” building their homes. Habitat will also provide homeowner education sessions for the families including budgeting, estate planning and home maintenance.
Construction is expected to begin next summer and will take up to 5 months to complete. A ground breaking ceremony will be held before construction to mark the start of the Build.
Saugeen First Nation Chief Lester Anoquot says in a statement, “I would like to commend the Housing Department for their hard work in developing a partnership with Habitat for Humanity. This construction opportunity will help address our housing shortage and provide home ownership through the rent to own program. All the best to our new mortgage holders! Miigwetch.”
Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce says according to Statistics Canada the number of households in core housing need in Bruce County is roughly 9.3 per cent and in Grey County it’s 11.4 per cent. Province wide, it’s 15.3 per cent. In indigenous communities it’s 18 per cent.
Habitat says Saugeen First Nation has a population of about,750 members; nearly half of whom live on reserve.
Since 2017, Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce has built 13 single dwelling homes in Neyaashiinigmiing for Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation families including the first Habitat built house on First Nations territory in Ontario.
Saugeen First Nation will be using a rent-to-own model with the families selected for the Habitat built homes with monthly payments to the Band and the opportunity to own their house in 20 years.
Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce has served 95 adults and 140 children since 1987.
The organization is always looking for volunteers, donations to its ReStore stores (Owen Sound, Hanover & Port Elgin) donations of land and monetary donations. To learn more go to www.habitatgreybruce.ca.