Habitat For Humanity

Executive Director Joanne Pickering from the Prince George "Habitat For Humanity" provided the Nechako Rotary with some interesting background details regarding their organization.

Habitat For Humanity was created in Prince George in 2002 by Joanne and some other like minded people as a dream to assist low income level people to acquire affordable housing, in addition to a number of other means of support.  This support includes assistance with planning their financial abilities and advise in managing their personal assets.

Habitat For Humanity operates under the umbrella of "Habitat Canada" where the local organization can seek assistance in developing grants among other things.

People seeking assistance from Habitat For Humanity undergo a substantial screening process to qualify for help, and are selected on the merits of this process.

When selected for assistance, these people are required to meet a number of criteria, including the actual commitment of work toward their housing project.  These people must commit a minimum of 250 hours of personal labor at the onset and a minimum of a total 500 hours prior to actually being allowed to move into the home.

Much of the materials and labor is donated through local businesses and building contractors in Prince George.  Where purchases are required, much of this is provided at cost to Habitat For Humanity.

Thanks to the College of New Caledonia, much of the construction is provided through their student program, giving students the opportunity to gain practical experience while assisting with the construction, plumbing etc in the new home.

The recipient of the home has an arranged "No Interest Mortgage" over up to a 30 year period and are required to pay approximately 30% of the current appraised value of the home through this mortgage. This makes the monthly mortgage rate reachable for people in their lower income levels.  They must reside in the home for a minimum of 12 years before they can sell the home.

Habitat For Humanity has a retail outlet on the corner of 2nd and Queensway where they also accept donations of materials, furniture etc. which they sell to assist with their operating costs.

Joanne was thanked for her presentation by Rotarian Dolly Hilton with another donation to our Rotary Polio Plus Program.