Sask Housing Promotes Remote Home Ownership

Sask Housing Promotes Remote Home Ownership

Tuesday, October 06, 2009 at 13:43

 

 

Residents of northern Saskatchewan towns and villages who want to own their own house may want to check out a series of meetings this month.

 

Beginning tonight in Buffalo Narrows, Sask Housing is hosting information sessions on its remote home ownership program.

 

The initiative gives qualified applicants a chance to receive a forgivable loan that can be used to pay for a house.

 

The only catch is they have to help build it and pay for the remainder owing on the home.

 

Program coordinator Bill Powalinski says the government helps the successful applicants get started on construction.

 

“They have to arrange for volunteers and contribute their own sweat equity, and we in turn provide the coordination of the construction schedule, and we conduct the inspections, and make sure that the helpers are getting the adequate support and training that they need in order to build the house according to standard,” Powalinski says.

 

The initiative was launched in 1995, and has helped 200 families realize the dream of owning their own house.

 

Tonight’s meeting starts at 7 p.m., and additional sessions are planned for Beauval, Ile-a-la-Crosse, La Loche, Pinehouse, Sandy Bay and Cumberland House.

 

Powalinski notes that the communities of Creighton, La Ronge and Air Ronge don’t qualify for the program, because they already have stable markets where housing equity can be realized.