New Habitat owners cross finish line

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This article was published 16/08/2024 (451 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Residents have taken ownership of two new homes on Franklin Street, paying mortgages that will never charge interest.

Families participating in Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program took possession of the newest builds on Thursday. A key ceremony celebrated the two new units, which were negotiated for interest-free, zero-down-payment mortgages.

Anita Onifade is one of the new homeowners. She and her teenage son, Ben, toured the place on Thursday.

“I love it,” said Onifade. “‘Like’ is an understatement. We are planning to move in by the weekend. I still go and tell everybody I know, ‘Do you know about Habitat for Humanity?”

Onifade was approved for the program a year ago. She said Thursday was a monumental change.

“Before … I moved every year. Because I could not afford the rent when the landlords raised it.”

She has more certainty about her future housing now. The new mortgage charges no more than 27 per cent of the household monthly income, on a 15-year term.

With the house officially hers, Onifade suspects her friends are planning to surprise her with a celebration — but she can’t be sure. They’re the same group that helped volunteer to build the house.

The Habitat for Humanity program is designed to create affordable homeownership for hard-working individuals who are likely to succeed with their new home.

Applicants are chosen based on criteria.

The criteria include that a person worked in the community for the past two years, and their household earns no more than $90,500. The applicants must also consent to a credit check, and complete 500 hours of work to support the program.

Habitat for Humanity leads the project as a non-profit organization. It brings costs down by using volunteers to build the homes, and can also obtain donated and low-cost supplies to keep costs low.

While families can benefit from the program, it’s not always easy to find applicants. Brandon’s engagement manager for the non-profit, Bonnie Mills, said there’s not a long lineup of people.

“Our biggest recommendations come from the families,” said Mills. “They spread the news to their co-workers, they spread the news to their friends, their faith communities.”

The Franklin Street development is nearly finished. Just one home is still under construction since the project of roughly a dozen units began in 2017.

Asked what’s next for Brandon, the non-profit’s chief executive officer, Jamie Hall, said talks are underway for roughly 60 units in an Assiniboine Gardens plot. Staff have been working with the city to consider a deal.

“It’s been really good conversations,” said Hall.

“I do expect those good conversations will continue.”

Hall suspects he will know more this fall.

On Franklin Street, however, he noted it’s always exciting the day families cross the finish line.

“Seeing the kids go in their room and say, ‘This is my room!’ was the best for me.”

» cmcdowell@brandonsun.com

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