Habitat accepting applications for five-unit complex

Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area is looking for families in need of safe, decent and affordable housing to submit an expression of interest for its 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. It is located along a bus route in the city’s west end and is within walking distance of Korah Collegiate & Vocational School, three elementary schools, Northern Community Centre, W.J. McMeeken Centre, parks, pharmacy, health clinic, and grocery stores, according to a news release.

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.

Habitat homeowners buy the home 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 Ave. is $40,850 for a two bedroom, $46,750 for a three bedroom, and $51,500 for a four bedroom. Maximum gross household income is $86,500 per year (below 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.

In partnership with SalDan Construction Group, Habitat will break ground on their Goulais Avenue build next spring.

Community members must submit their expression of interest by January 1st, 2024 at 11.59 pm. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted, so early submissions are strongly encouraged. Please visit www.habitatsault.ca to submit online.