Habitat for Humanity, Prince Albert, and Saskatchewan Polytechnic prepare to move third home
June 5, 2017 – Today Habitat for Humanity and Saskatchewan Polytechnic had a sod turning event as they prepare to move their third Habitat for Humanity house to its permanent home. Last month Level 2 Carpenter apprentices completed the framing and exterior finish of the house as part of their technical training.
In February 2015, Saskatchewan Polytechnic and Habitat for Humanity, Prince Albert, signed a memorandum of agreement for carpentry students to build five houses in five years. Under the five-year plan, the students will frame houses and install windows, exterior doors, siding, soffits and shingles.
“Habitat for Humanity, Prince Albert, is pleased to announce the commencement of our third home built in partnership with Sask Polytech. The partnership between Sask Polytech and Habitat continues to be invaluable to our mission of building affordable homes,” shares John van Leeuwen Habitat for Humanity executive director. “The families that receive our homes also receive increased hope for their future. A home provided to them with no down payment and a no interest mortgage allows them to realize home ownership and helps them secure long term stability in the lives of their family. Sask Polytech is an integral part of that realization for another deserving Habitat family.”
“Our carpentry students work diligently over their short seven-week program to build a Habitat for Humanity home,” shares Ryan Hooyenga, School of Construction, program head. “This is great hands-on, practical experience for our students, allowing them to focus on applied learning during their training time. We are proud of our partnership and of the remarkable work Habitat for Humanity does in Prince Albert.”
Habitat for Humanity funds materials for the homes and is responsible for finishing the interior of the house, aided by the families that will live in the homes. This third home was built at Prince Albert campus and will be moved to its permanent location this summer for the recipient family.
Every year more than 63,000 Canadians volunteer with Habitat for Humanity Canada, a non-profit organization that builds affordable homes for low-income families in some 300 communities across the country. Habitat for Humanity, Prince Albert, was founded in 1995 and has served over 28 families. In recent years, Habitat for Humanity has built on average six homes annually in Prince Albert.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic serves 28,000 distinct students through applied learning opportunities at campuses in Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon, and through extensive distance education opportunities. Programs serve every economic and public service sector. As a Polytechnic, the organization provides the depth of learning appropriate to employer and student need, including certificate, diploma and degree programs, and apprenticeship training. Saskatchewan Polytechnic engages in applied research, drawing on faculty expertise to support innovation by employers, and providing students the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills.