By Greg Higgins

Volunteers desperately needed to build Habitat for Humanity house

Jun 23, 2016 | 6:00 AM

A house under construction for a single mother of two has been delayed six months and if volunteers don’t step up, it could be another six.

Kristen Scott and her two sons, aged 13 and three, were supposed to move into her new North Battleford house last December. The final construction date of the house, which is being built by the Habitat for Humanity program, has been pushed back twice because of a lack of volunteers. Now, Scott learned her new duplex won’t be ready until January, 2017.

In the meantime, Scott is renting.

“My situation isn’t terrible but it’s the income. Habitat only charges 25 per cent of your income for the mortgage. I’m paying more than that for rent which is tough being a single mom,” she said.

Habitat for Humanity uses a point system to choose people for their homes. Income, amount of children and their age were contributing factors in selecting Scott.

Sharing memories

North Stars reflect on one-year anniversary of 2023 championship

14h ago

Three days of action

Kinsmen Rodeo ready to kick off in North Battleford

17h ago

Top of the Podium

Sweetgrass archer takes gold at Junior Olympic Program Championships

19h ago

The program believes in “housing for all.” Its mission is to break the cycle of poverty by promoting home ownership and providing affordable housing. Building materials are donated from local businesses and labourers are usually volunteers.

When Habitat can’t get enough volunteers, the charity has to raise money to hire workers. The program has to raise $90,000 to finish Scott’s house — a number which will increase the longer the project takes.

The structure of the house is complete but Ron Braun, a site supervisor, said there is still a lot of work to be done.

“I’m looking to get the outside accomplished before things freeze,” Braun said. “We need to get the fence in, the front yard down and the side walk done. I want it to have good curb appeal when you drive by. We’ve found it attracts volunteers.”

Braun said experience isn’t necessary; he’s willing to teach anybody willing to learn.

“I need help. Right now the priority inside the house is to get the dry wall done and the primer put on so we can start on the floor. I don’t need someone here 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. Any amount of time they can lend would be great,” Braun said.

This is the first house Habitat for Humanity has built in the Battlefords. Last year the program constructed 228 duplexes.

ghiggins@jpbg.ca

@realgreghiggins