ESTEVAN - The Estevan chapter for Habitat for Humanity wants to continue with its efforts to help local families live in a home of their own.
The chapter was formed in 2015 and since that time has completed two homes in northeast Estevan. But like others in the country, the Estevan chapter's efforts were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Everyone knows that the pandemic hit the build industry pretty hard, and made it quite difficult to fundraise for how much it does cost to build a home in today's market," said interim executive director Kelsey Stewart.
Also, the Habitat Saskatchewan affiliate was created in 2021 after the merger of the Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert locations, so there has been a lot of change happening. Estevan is one of three chapters remaining in smaller communities in the province, along with Yorkton and Melfort.
The chapters are fully run by volunteer committees and access the Saskatchewan affiliate for support with financial reporting, marketing and more.
Stewart said they have a few dedicated volunteers who are part of the Estevan chapter committee, but they need more. The Estevan chapter has mortgage payments coming in from its previous builds, so they have some money in their bank to continue building homes.
"We do need to fundraise and just get the chapter back up and running," said Stewart.
If Estevan did not have an active committee, if they don't recruit new people, and if they don't have the support from the community, then Stewart said they wouldn't have the means to continue. If the Estevan chapter were to close, then it wouldn't affect the families who have benefited from previous builds.
Doug Barnstable, who had been the chairman of the Estevan committee since it started, has stepped down from the role.
Stewart believes seven to 12 members would be an ideal number for the Estevan committee. He pointed out the Yorkton chapter has about a dozen members, but some are involved in specific aspects of the chapter, such as the family selection committee.
"We always would love to be building in our communities across the province," said Stewart. "I will say that it's no small feat. It is a lot of work and it does take a lot of time to get things going, but we obviously do have a few dedicated committee members in Estevan, and I know that we have the support of the community."
The land is already in place for the next build in Estevan, thanks to a donation of a parcel at the intersection of King Street and Hillcrest Drive.
Habitat for Humanity is starting to see construction ramp up in the province. A sod-turning ceremony was recently held in Regina to celebrate two new builds, which will be the first for Habitat Saskatchewan since the pandemic. They also just had another event for a home in Prince Albert.
Yorkton is expected to break ground in a couple of months on a new home, bringing the total to four units in Saskatchewan.
