A vacant lot on Prince Albert’s 13 Street West will soon house a grateful family.
Katrina and George Slovak have been renting housing since they moved to Prince Albert from the Philippines three years ago.
Unable to afford daycare for their children—ages five, three and one—Katrina works from home to take care of them while George works full-time.
Both were emotional at the announcement at the site on Friday morning.
“It’s really overwhelming. We’re really looking forward to it. It’s like a lifelong dream to have a place that we call home finally,” said George with a smile. “We really got lucky.”
The family has been volunteering at Habitat for Humanity in place of a downpayment for the 125 square metre, three-bedroom bungalow.
“It’s being part of a team and being able to contribute, help others make a home here in Canada as well,” said Katrina.
Tears came from her eyes as she held her son’s hand.
“Beyond words, I feel so happy (and) honoured to be a Habitat family, part of their family. It’s been a struggle for us,” she said. “Just to be involved with these kinds of projects feels empowering and being supported feels like you’re part of the community.”
Jan Thomas, executive director for Prince Albert’s Habitat for Humanity, described how she typically feels on move-in day.
“It’s just a huge kind of weight of relief from Habitat to know that our family is now in a home; that it’s done; that the promise that we made when we begun the partnership is now complete,” she said.
The house is being built with $65,000 in funds from the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan.
It will be transported to the lot this fall, with the family to hopefully move in by the end of October.
The build is also in partnership with CORCAN in Saskatoon, which operates within Correctional Services of Canada (CSC) for training and employment for federal offenders. It’s meant to support rehabilitation and lower possibility of future offences.
To apply for a Habitat for Humanity home, visit www.habitatpa.ca.
Thomas said they look for families with young children and considered low income according to the provincial government.
