By Michael Joel-Hansen

Local family thankful for home

Jan 25, 2019 | 8:00 AM

The Prince Albert Chapter of Habitat for Humanity officially marked the completion of two more homes in the city on Thursday.

Representatives from the provincial and federal government along with supporters and members of Prince Albert Habitat for Humanity were at a home in West Flat to celebrate the two families and their homes Thursday afternoon.

One of those families was that of Chantal, who moved into her house last summer with her partner, Shawn, and son.

“It’s very exciting and I am really thankful to have had this opportunity, we’re really grateful to everyone who’s played a part in making this a reality for us,” she said.

The house was built in partnership with Saskatchewan Polytechnic, who provided carpentry students to do some of the work. The second home was built in cooperation with Corrections Canada. Many local businesses also donated supplies to help with both builds.

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As part of the process to get the home built, Chantal and her partner put in work helping to build their home as well as other habitat projects. This work is called “sweat equity” and everyone accepted into the Habitat program has to complete 500 hours as part of their housing agreement.

“It was very fulfilling being able to finish that, and we were able to meet other Habitat families and help with building their homes as well, so it just makes our living here that much more special,” she said.

Chantal paid her sweat equity in a number of ways, which included helping out at Prince Albert Habitat for Humanity’s base of operations and doing general labour on some job sites. Shawn put in his work by doing things such as drywalling and other construction-related tasks.  

“It was just a wide spectrum of things we were able to work on,” she said.

Prior to moving into their current home, the couple lived in Prince Albert Community Housing. While she said they had a good experience, their new home offers some advantages.

“Just knowing that it’s your permanent home and we’re able to personalize it how we want, everything like that’s been a great process,” she said.

Another benefit which having their own offers for Chantal and her family is a more suitable environment for her son, who is on the autism spectrum. Chantal said he has been enjoying the new home and how open it is.  

“It’s nice being able to give him that stability that he needs in his life,” she said.

Editor’s note: This story was modified on Jan. 25, 2019 at 11:47 a.m. 

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn