FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

18 December 2023

One Last Christmas Wish: A Home for the Holidays

Sault Ste. Marie, ON - Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area (HFHSSMA) invites families needing safe, decent and affordable housing to submit an expression of interest for our biggest project yet - a five-unit complex on Goulais Avenue!

The property, located at 661 Goulais Avenue, was donated to Habitat in 2020 by Soo Mill Buildall. A perfect location for families, it is conveniently located along a bus route in the city’s west end and is within walking distance of Korah Collegiate & Vocational School, three elementary schools, Northern Community Centre, W.J. McMeeken Centre, parks, pharmacy, health clinic, and grocery stores.

To qualify, eligible homeowners must be:

In need of better housing
Potential homebuyers might be dealing with poorly maintained, unhealthy, or overcrowded housing; unaffordable rent; inaccessible housing for people living with disabilities; or have other shelter needs.

Willing to partner with Habitat
Habitat Homeowners volunteer a minimum of 500 hours with Habitat, including volunteer hours spent building their own home or at a Habitat ReStore. This also includes classes in personal finances, home maintenance, and other homeowner topics.

Able to make affordable mortgage payments
Habitat homeowners buy their homes at fair market value. Mortgage payments are affordable because they do not exceed 30 percent of the gross household income, including property taxes. The minimum gross household income for 661 Goulais Avenue is $40,850 for a two-bedroom, $46,750 for a three-bedroom, and $51,500 for a four-bedroom. Maximum gross household income is $86,500 annually (below the 60th percentile locally).

Units will have between two and five bedrooms. Units requiring fewer bedrooms will have an unfinished basement, and units requiring the maximum number of bedrooms will have a finished basement. Each home will have up to two bathrooms, depending on the number of bedrooms the family requires. Each home will have a driveway.

In partnership with SalDan Construction Group, Habitat will break ground on their Goulais Avenue build next spring.

Community members must submit their expression of interest by January 1st, 2024, at 11.59 pm. Applications will be reviewed as submitted, so early submissions are strongly encouraged.

Please visit www.habitatsault.ca to submit online.

- 30 -

About Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie and Area

Founded in 2002, Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area is a non-profit community-based organization working towards a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. HFHSSMA offers a sustainable solution to the housing crisis facing our communities by mobilizing volunteers and community partners to build affordable housing and promote home ownership.

For more information:

Katie Blunt
CEO, Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area
C: 705-971-7561
E: executivedirector@habitatsault.ca