Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce is entering a partnership with the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board to build a tiny home for Saugeen First Nation.
Habitat for Humanity says this collaboration will engage students at St. Mary’s High School to build a 250 square foot structure, which will act as an emergency shelter for individuals and small families.
This pilot project guided by Habitat for Humanity, will provide students with a hands-on learning experience over the school year, while also educating about the need for affordable housing and encouraging them to consider a career in homebuilding.
Habitat adds this pilot will give students and staff of St. Mary’s the opportunity to take an active step in reconciliation with Saugeen First Nation.
The goal is to have the home completed in the spring, and will be operated by Saugeen First Nation as part of their housing strategy.
Chief of Saugeen First Nation Conrad Ritchie-Chi Nimkii says, “our community embraces the Tiny Home program and the opportunity it provides to educate youth about the trades in homebuilding and the need for affordable housing within Grey-Bruce. The youth will be the facilitators of change. We look forward to the relationship building, the knowledge to be learned, opportunity to grow together, and continued partnerships in our journey forward.”
Habitat is hoping this pilot will lead to more homebuilding opportunities for students in other high schools across Grey and Bruce counties.
Habitat Executive Director Greg Fryer adds, “the Tiny Home program is an innovative solution that will help meet Saugeen First Nation’s housing need. We are thrilled that our partnership with Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board will provide students at St. Mary’s High School the opportunity to learn and experience homebuilding first hand through the pilot program.”
