Celebrating the start of construction for a new Habitat Family is always a special day

If you drove past the lot tomorrow, you’d probably see the beginning of a construction project. And over the coming months, there will be framing, roofing, siding, drywall, and everything else that goes into building a house. But what we are building is so much more than that. At Habitat for Humanity Saskatchewan, we’re building opportunity.

On June 11, our Yorkton Chapter officially broke ground on its 11th affordable home, celebrating not only the start of construction but the beginning of a new chapter for Jasmin and her two children. Surrounded by volunteers, donors, community partners, and supporters, the Sod Turning Ceremony marked the first visible step toward something much bigger than a house.

A Home Means Stability

For Jasmin, homeownership isn’t about owning property, it’s about creating stability. As a single mother raising two children, she knows firsthand how much a home can influence a family’s daily life. Today, they live in a small basement suite with limited space and very little natural light. While she is grateful to have a place to live, she knows it doesn’t fully meet her family’s needs.

“A stable and accessible home would greatly improve our routines, reduce stress, and support my child’s development while giving both of my children a safe place to grow and thrive.”

For her family, a Habitat home means more than additional bedrooms. It means consistency, peace of mind, knowing her children can grow up in a place where they feel safe.

Building Opportunity

During the Sod Turning Ceremony, Habitat Saskatchewan CEO Kelsey Stewart reminded everyone why days like this matter.

“If Habitat for Humanity was simply in the business of building houses, we’d stop caring the day the keys were handed over. But that’s never been the point.”

What we’re really building is the opportunity for a child to have the same address on every report card. A place where first-day-of-school photos and graduation photos might be taken in the very same spot. A foundation that allows everything else in life to become a little more possible.

This home didn’t begin with a shovel in the ground. It began years ago through a community that believes every family deserves the opportunity to succeed. This is the Yorkton Chapter’s 11th Habitat home; a milestone made possible by volunteers who have spent evenings and weekends on build sites, donors who invested in local families, businesses that contributed materials and expertise, and neighbours who choose to help neighbours.

The First Step Toward Home

Construction of Jasmin’s 960-square-foot, four-bedroom home is expected to be completed in December 2026. When the final nail is driven and the keys are handed over, Jasmin and her family will have the stability they’ve always wanted in a house that is now theirs.

Are you dreaming of owning a safe, affordable home for your family? Our Yorkton Chapter is now accepting preliminary applications for their 2025 home build! This is an incredible opportunity for a family to partner with us and make the dream of homeownership a reality.

Eligibility Criteria for Homeownership

To qualify, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Residency: Be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or landed immigrants who have lived in Saskatchewan for at least one year.
• Employment: At least one applicant must be employed full-time with a stable income for a minimum of one year and have at least two years of employment history in Canada.
• Financial Responsibility: Demonstrate responsible debt management with no bankruptcy declarations in the past three years.
• Family Composition: Have at least one child under the age of 16.
• Income: Total gross annual household income must be between $45,000 and $77,500, as determined by the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation.
• Credit Standing: Maintain a good credit rating with no collections or judgments against you.

In addition to these criteria, families must be willing to:

• Volunteer: Contribute 500 hours of volunteer work.
• Education: Complete mandatory homeowner education classes.
• Ambassadorship: Serve as ambassadors for Habitat Saskatchewan, representing our mission at events and in media.

How the mortgage works with Habitat Saskatchewan

Habitat for Humanity’s unique homeownership model is designed to make homeownership affordable for families. Here’s how it works:

• No Down Payment Required: Families are not required to provide a down payment, removing one of the biggest barriers to homeownership.
• Affordable Payments: Monthly mortgage payments are set at 25% of the family’s total gross annual household income, ensuring payments remain manageable.
• Zero-Interest Mortgage: Habitat provides families with an interest-free mortgage, further reducing the financial burden of homeownership.
• Equity Growth: Families build equity in their home as they make their monthly payments, creating long-term financial stability.
• Supportive Partnership: Habitat remains a supportive partner, offering resources and guidance to ensure families succeed as homeowners.

This innovative system empowers families to break the cycle of poverty, creating a stable foundation for their future.

How to Apply

Preliminary applications are available now!

To obtain an application:
📧 Email: info@habitatyorkton.ca
📞 Call: 306-620-8662 or 306-620-5011

Take the first step toward homeownership today!

Building a Brighter Future Together

The Yorkton Chapter is proud to continue its mission of building strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. If you or someone you know might qualify, we encourage you to apply today. Together, we can create a brighter future—one home, one family at a time.