Town council has approved the land sale of one lot on 102 Street that will go toward Habitat for Humanity NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 next build.

Council authorized the sale for $1 at a special meeting, Jan. 31.

The lot, located at 17SA国际影视传媒�102 Street, has a value of $18,999 and is one of 10 that the town is seeking to develop in the near future for lower-income housing on Vale Island.

A family is expected to occupy the three-bedroom, one-bathroom modular Habitat home in the fall.

The other nine lots were listed on the municipalitySA国际影视传媒檚 website for open bid auction as of Jan. 26.

Alayna Ward, executive director for Habitat for Humanity NWT, said that councilSA国际影视传媒檚 approval is a significant step in moving the project forward this year.

SA国际影视传媒淗aving support from the Town of Hay River and from council in donating that lot makes a humongous difference,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚f we didnSA国际影视传媒檛 have that donation SA国际影视传媒� it would make it really difficult for us to build because the concept is to keep the home affordable.

SA国际影视传媒淚f we had to purchase land then it just wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 make sense for the families because the home would not no longer be affordable.SA国际影视传媒�

Ward said sheSA国际影视传媒檚 pleased to help with Hay RiverSA国际影视传媒檚 housing solutions as demand is high.

SA国际影视传媒淓verybody knows that housing is a major issue throughout the entire territory,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淗ay River is great because itSA国际影视传媒檚 outside of the capital region. We also have good contacts there with contractors.

SA国际影视传媒淏ut we also know that the town has a major, major housing need and that thereSA国际影视传媒檚 so many people that are in need of affordable housing. After the loss of (Mackenzie Place apartments in a 2019 fire), we know thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a really big need for affordable housing.SA国际影视传媒�

The official transfer of land is the next step before and the family application process is to be announced in the near future.

Site preparation and blasting will take place before a modular unit is placed on the lot as warmer weather returns.

SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 quite a bit of preparation that needs to be done even though itSA国际影视传媒檚 a modular unit,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭he premise with a modular is still the same, it is just that it is not a stick-build. So the family will still have the opportunity to participate in building, in the cleanup of the site or with things like decking and the skirting.SA国际影视传媒�

Criteria to apply

Ward said that there are misconceptions when applying for Habitat housing.

Successful families are expected to provide a down-payment with 500 volunteer hours of SA国际影视传媒渟weat equitySA国际影视传媒� and are financed with affordable, no-interest mortgages. Rates do not exceed 30 per cent of a familySA国际影视传媒檚 gross income to keep the home affordable.

SA国际影视传媒淥ne thing that weSA国际影视传媒檙e really trying to do as an organization is highlight that it is an affordable home-ownership program, itSA国际影视传媒檚 not social housing,SA国际影视传媒� said Ward.

Families are eligible if they are ready for home ownership but canSA国际影视传媒檛 attain a bank mortgage.

Yellowknife and Dettah

Habitat for Humanity NWT completed two builds in 2021 in Yellowknife and the Yellowknives Dene First Nation community of Dettah SA国际影视传媒� the first community outside of the capital.

According to a Dec. 18 news release issued by the organization, families were situated in each of the homes and an official ceremony is expected in those communities this spring.

Those builds marked the beginning of a partnership between Habitat for Humanity and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, whereby the federal body committed $3.4 million towards 10 builds over five years.

With the Yellowknife and Dettah builds complete, there are eight remaining over four years. Each of those years will have at least one build outside of Yellowknife.

Mayor Kandis Jameson said the townSA国际影视传媒檚 donation represents a positive move in helping address housing needs.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think itSA国际影视传媒檚 good for the community,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲e have a lot of housing issues and I think this just helps everybody. ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 an opportunity here for somebody in need to get support.

SA国际影视传媒淲e all know what Habitat for Humanity does where everybody contributes.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 nice to be part of the project and I think itSA国际影视传媒檚 good news for Hay River.SA国际影视传媒�