There are approximately 45 chapters of Habitat for Humanity across Canada, but at present none exist in southeastern Manitoba. For this reason, the non-profit would love to influence a chapter in Niverville, Manitoba’s fastest growing community.

Christina Falk is the chapter support person for Habitat Manitoba.

“The culture of Niverville is a giving and serving culture,” Falk says. “The population is growing fast, and availability of affordable housing is starting to become more of an issue. So there’s definitely a need.”

Although a chapter was active in Steinbach not too long ago, it recently folded. Falk’s desire is to see that baton passed on as quickly as possible so deserving families in this region can continue to benefit from homes built and financed through Habitat.

While the federal government has been incentivizing affordable housing builds in recent years, in many cases it simply results in more rental housing. For Habitat, there’s a big difference between affordable rentals and the organization’s model of affordable home ownership.

“Rentals are needed, for sure, but they don’t help families to get out of difficult financial situations,” she says. “They don’t necessarily help them move forward and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Falk adds that Habitat homes also don’t fall into the category of low-incoming housing, since they aren’t geared for people living on social assistance.

The vetting process to apply for a Habitat home is rigorous. Habitat’s administrative team looks at a person’s bank accounts, credit card statements, and credit histories. Eligible families are required to undergo credit counselling and budgeting instruction.

“We make sure that their mortgage payments are going to work according to how they’re spending their money now,” Falk says. “So even if they have a lower income, they are managing the money that they have well. The reason they typically can’t move forward is because it’s just impossible for them to save up that down-payment when they’re paying rent and have a few kids.”

First and foremost, Habitat homes are meant to assist people who are already living and working in or near a community.

In order to establish pride of home ownership, adult family members are required to assist in the build. The homes are built to Habitat specs, including the use of energy-efficient materials to keep utility costs low down the road.

What makes the Habitat model unique, though, is the mortgaging structure. Habitat families receive their financing directly from the organization, not a bank. No down-payment is required and the first 15 years of their payments are interest-free. To ensure success, the amount of monthly installments is then determined by the household’s income.

Behind all this, from land acquisition to the final choice of families and overseeing builds, is the local chapter, made up entirely of volunteers.

This local chapter is also responsible for collecting mortgage payments, which in turn fund the next Habitat home. The chapter must have 75 percent funding in place before the next build begins.

“It means that every Habitat family is a partner in getting the next family into their house,” Falk says. “It makes it self-sustainable in the community and works really well in rural Manitoba.”

Being on a Habitat committee takes some commitment, Falk says. She recommends a committee of about ten people, some of which will head up subcommittees.

“It’s a way to get people from all different [walks of life] in the community to come together. It’s a really cool bonding experience because it’s coming from within.”

For towns like Niverville, attaining land for a Habitat build might seem like the most daunting task.

In some communities, the local council may choose to donate municipally owned land. As well, the committee should develop relationships with developers who might set aside properties for Habitat builds if shown the value in it.

“It can feel like a lot of work in the beginning, but it is such a rewarding volunteer experience. You see deserving families who are working hard, and you get to be a part of their life journey.”

Habitat Manitoba saw 29 homes built in the province through their various chapters last year. More than 500 homes have been built since the Manitoba chapter first opened in 1989.