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Petrolia Build 2007

2007-10-01

DEDICATION CEREMONY

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH, 2PM THIS HOUSE WAS DEDICATED TO CAROLYN FISHER AND FAMILY,
515 WELLINGTON STREET, PETROLIA.

2007-03-22

Sod Turning will take place on Saturday, April 14th, 2007 at 2pm, at 517 Wellington Street. Everyone welcome.

Petrolia family counting
the days toward their
Habitat home

Five-year-old Kayla Faubert can’t wait for her new pink bedroom.

She and the rest of her family are counting down the days until the completion of their Habitat for Humanity home, on Wellington Street in Petrolia.

Carolyn Fisher and her four children: Kayla and two-year-old triplets John, Lucas and Curtis, are the future owners of the modest, four-bedroom home. Habitat for Humanity Sarnia-Lambton will begin construction for the home in May
“I got a copy of the floor plans and I keep saying, ‘I wish they didn’t give it to us because now I can’t stop looking at them,’ ” said Fisher. “Habitat is the best thing . . . it’s a wonderful thing for my family.”

She had applied twice for a Habitat home, Fisher explained.

She was denied the first time and when she applied again, Fisher didn’t have high hopes.

“When I found out (we were accepted), I just couldn’t believe it,” she said. “I didn’t think we'd get it.”

Linda Pickford, vice-chairwoman of Habitat for Humanity Sarnia-Lambton, explained families must meet certain criteria to be eligible for a home.

Families who qualify for a Habitat home are typically living below the poverty line and in need of affordable housing. They must be able to repay a zero-per-cent interest mortgage over 25 to 30 years. These payments are reinvested into Habitat’s home ownership program to fund future builds.

The family must also partner with Habitat to contribute 500 hours of sweat equity on their own home and construction of someone else’s home.

Approximately $80,000 is required to build a Habitat home, which is then sold to the family at a market value determined by a legal appraisal. The Lambton United Church Presbytery, which includes 25 United Churches in Lambton County, has pledged $30,000 to the cost of the house and will supply volunteer labour.

Habitat for Humanity Sarnia-Lambton is seeking additonal local corporate donors, as a portion of the needed funds and materials is supplied by the Habitat ReStore and national and local building suppliers.

Habitat for Humanity works to build affordable housing and promote home ownership to break the cycle of poverty, according to a Habitat news release.

Since its inception in 1985, more than 200,000 homes have been built worldwide and a new home is under construction every 24 minutes.

Over the last several years, one Habitat home has been built in Petrolia, one in Oil Springs, 2 in Forest and 9 in Sarnia. Pickford said a build project is in the works for Wyoming.

“It’s a very good feeling,” she said of being involved in the organization. “We’re giving them security as a parent and security for the children. It’s very rewarding to be a part of Habitat for Humanity.”

To apply for a Habitat home, volunteer or for more information, call 519-336-7075 or visit www.habitatsarnia.org.