ST. PAUL – The St. Paul Affordable Community Housing Society (SPACHS) is still accepting family applications for a rent-to-own home it plans to build.
Louise Severin, president of the society, said the group requires about $38,000 more funding to begin the construction project. The society hopes to complete the fundraising goal sometime this fall.
Reaching the goal means construction can begin on the three-bedroom property in the Town of St. Paul.
Applicants must be currently living in the St. Paul region to qualify for the home. They will also be required to participate in a home ownership training webinar.
Applicants must also be able to provide a $1,250 monthly mortgage payment for the house, according to Severin, along with providing references and financial assessments.
Background
The project is part of an affordable housing project to construct two single family homes within the Town of St. Paul. The lots for the properties were donated by the Town.
“I’m not sure that we’ll be able to get the fundraising in time to get the second house done this year,” acknowledges Severin, but the group is planning to make a presentation to the Government of Alberta with the hopes of acquiring a matching grant.
She says the Town of St. Paul also donated two other lots, and if SPACHS receives a matching grant from the Alberta government, SPACHS plans to build duplexes on the third and the fourth lots.
“So, a total of six [spaces] available [for families] contingent on the Alberta government,” says Severin. “There’s no way we could fundraise that much cash from our small community.”
Fundraiser
The society continues to move forward and fundraise for the project, which includes partnering with the St. Paul and District Chamber of Commerce for the upcoming Rodeo Week Kick Off Party on Aug. 28.
Some of the proceeds from the event will be going to SPACHS.
“We’re hoping to get a good-sized crowd for that, which will give us some progress towards our goal,” says Severin.
SPACHS plans to put up a sign on the Town of St. Paul’s Main Street that shows the names of the sponsors who have donated a minimum of $2,000 to the cause, as well as a thermometer graphic that shows the progress of the society.
For more information about the project, to apply for the affordable housing project, or to get involved with the society, people can reach out to: [email protected], or contact Zan Reilly at 780-645-0799.
