S'Land Habitat Home

There's no place like home.

Habitat for Humanity has broken ground on it's first home in the South Okanagan. The South Okanagan chapter of Habitat for Humanity started two years ago and covers Summerland, Penticton, Naramata and OK Falls. The house being built is for a family in Summerland.

The family was chosen from more than 30 families that applied back in 2005.
As part of an intensive selection process, the family must meet certain criteria to be eligible for a Habitat home. They must have need of home, they must be able to pay a low-cost mortgage of about 25 percent of their monthly income and finally they must contribute 500 hours of volunteer work towards the home.

At least 100 of those hours must be spent actually helping to build the house, which organizers say gives them a sense of pride and a real feeling of ownership over the home. When the home is completed, it will be 1,100 square feet and have three bedrooms.

Habitat for Humanity holds the mortgage on the home and sells it to the family. Mortgage payments go to fund future housing programs.

Work on the home is done by volunteers, under the supervision of skilled tradespeople. Habitat for Humanity Canada has built more then 700 homes for deserving families since it's inception.