In need of better housing? Apply for Habitat Home on Goulais Ave.

Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie and Area is launching its biggest project to help families in need of housing, and you may be eligible for one of the five Habitat Homes within the five-unit complex at 661 Goulais Ave.

The property was donated to Habitat in 2020 by Soo Mill Buildall and is within walking distance of three elementary schools, parks, grocery stores, and other amenities. 

Interested individuals can attend any of the four information sessions held in March to learn more about this opportunity.

For more information about Habitat Homes and eligibility, read the news release below: 

Do you and your family dream of owning a safe, decent, and affordable home? Are traditional mortgage requirements or a down payment on a house preventing you from making this dream a reality?

Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area (HFHSSMA) is now accepting expressions of interest from prospective Habitat Homeowners in our biggest project yet - a five-unit complex on Goulais Avenue!

The property, located at 661 Goulais Ave., 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 and Vocational School, three elementary schools, Northern Community Centre, W.J. McMeeken Centre, parks, pharmacy, health clinic, and grocery stores.

“Habitat has been working in the community for over 20 years. Our mission to advocate for affordable housing and the needs of families in our community continues with our latest project on Goulais Avenue. For years, families of varying sizes have been coming to us looking for support, and we are thrilled to begin the application process for our largest project to date!” stated Allyson Schmidt, Chair of Habitat’s Board of Directors.

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 made 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 $55,500 for a five-bedroom. Maximum gross household income is $86,500 per year (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 required by the family. Each home will have a driveway.

Lot clearing and site plan development will begin later this year. In partnership with SalDan Construction Group, Habitat will break ground on their Goulais Avenue build next spring. The homes should be complete by the end of 2024.

“SalDan is thrilled to continue supporting Habitat’s Affordable Homeownership Program! This project is especially exciting as we’ll be building five units – helping five families become homeowners! Organizations like Habitat inspire communities to band together and make a difference, which is why we are honoured to be a part of their initiatives since 2018,” states Sam Biasucci, president of SalDan Construction Group.

Community members interested in applying for these Habitat Homes can attend any of four information sessions held on any of the following dates:

• Wednesday, March 1, 5-7 p.m., North Branch Library (232 Northern Ave. E.t)
• Saturday, March 11, 1-3 p.m., Northern Community Centre Steelton Room (556 Goulais Ave.)
• Thursday, March 16, 5-7 p.m., Northern Community Centre Steelton Room (556 Goulais Ave.)
• Wednesday, March 22, 5-7 p.m., Sault Community Career Centre (503 Queen St. E.)

Presentations will start at 5 p.m. and will run for approximately one hour. After the presentation, attendees will be able to ask any questions they may have about the application process, the Affordable Homeownership Program, or the building project.

Community members must submit their expression of interest by March 30 at 5 p.m. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted, so early submissions are strongly encouraged. Please visit habitatsault.ca to submit online.

As a non-profit, HFHSSMA relies on the generosity of volunteers, donors, and corporate sponsors to achieve its mission. If your business is interested in donating to or sponsoring the Goulais Avenue build, please reach out to Chelsey Foucher, fundraising and marketing coordinator, at marketing@habitatsault.ca to discuss this opportunity.