Maung family is all smiles at sod-turning

Habitat for Humanity (HFH) marked the start of another family’s journey towards owning their own home, at a sod-turning on Friday.

Family member Loeghan Maung said his wife and their children live with his parents. Maung said it’ll be easier to own than to rent.

“It’s exciting, we got a home, we got a new house like this,” said Maung.

Duane Hayunga, with the HFH board, said sod-turning day is significant for both the family and everyone involved in the homes construction.

“They will be on the first step to seeing their dream to come true, for home ownership,” said Hayunga. 

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Morris Sawchuk, the past chair of HFH, said the cost of housing has gone up so it’s really important to provide proper housing for families who just can’t afford to buy their own home.

“It’s very difficult for people to get a start such as this and yet good safe housing has proven to make good productive families and communities,” he said.

Prince Albert has a very high crime rate as well as a lot of low-income families, said Sawchuk. This is why he believes the city needs more low-cost homes.

“Some of the things that happen in this town could be corrected if we could build more affordable housing,” he said. “You put families into good safe affordable housing, I mean the kids do better in school, [and] they avoid crime.”

The family’s new home will be built at 1201 18th Street West, by CORCAN, a special operating agency of Correctional Service Canada.

The family of six who will be living at the residence could move as early as this spring, said Sawchuk.

“The house is being worked on as we speak at CORCAN house number three, we will be doing the basement in the spring, the house will be moved on, I’m going to say that hopefully about June or so the family will be able to move into the house,” said Sawchuk.

According to Linda Saliken, with Social Services, the province of Saskatchewan is contributing $65,000 in funding towards the construction of this house. The Conexus Credit Union has also offered to help foot any extra costs.

kbruch@panow.com

On Twitter:@KaylaBruch1