HABITAT FOR HUMANITY — Volunteer Ruth Heinrichs wields an electric drill at the Qu’Appelle Diocese’s HJabitat for Humanity project in inner-city Regina. (Flegel photo)

Anglican diocese erects Habitat for Humanity house

By Frank Flegel

REGINA — Sometime this September, thanks to members of the Anglican Diocese of Qu’Appelle, a Regina single mother and four of her six children and one grandchild will move into their home in Regina’s inner city. The diocese in 2008 took on the project of building the Habitat for Humanity House as part of the diocesan 125th anniversary.

“Our intention was and is to bear witness to the love of God in Jesus Christ by being an instrument of that love in reaching out to a family in need,” said Bishop Gregory Kerr-Wilson in a June 17, 2010 pastoral letter that asked for more volunteers to complete the house.

The first step, to raise the required funds, was successful and construction began in September 2009. It was halted over the winter after the basement was poured and the walls were up. This spring volunteers were again recruited and construction resumed with completion expected sometime in September.

The two-storey house is located in the city’s core community. The design fits in with the surrounding homes, most of which were built in the early 20th century. It’s located on a 25-foot lot with a large back yard. It will contain two bedrooms and a half bath on the upper level, two bedrooms and a full bathroom on the main level and the full basement will have roughed in plumbing.

The two floors will provide about 1,400 square feet of living space. Habitat for Humanity plans include major appliances for the home. The eventual homeowner is required to provide hundreds of hours of “sweat equity” in construction of the home and must be capable of maintaining a low interest mortgage.

“This is the first time I’ve held one of these guns in my hand,” said volunteer crew member Ruth Heinrichs of Grace Mennonite Church. wielding an electric drill. “I married an Anglican,” she laughed, when questioned about how she became involved. Earlier she had successfully drilled a screw into the drywall and received good-hearted cheers and applause for her effort.

Other volunteers from various diocesan churches provided coffee and lunch for the volunteers. Kerr-Wilson, not to be outdone by members of his flock, has worked with several crews at the house and intends to fit more time there into his busy summer schedule.