The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Ne w r e s e a r c h shows the value of the latest nonprofit to come to Flin Flon. Research released last week shows that affordable Habitat for Humanity homeownership contributes to families becoming happier and healthier, and enjoying improvements in their children's well being and school performance. The research, led and funded by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), shows that of the families surveyed, 86 per cent report being happier since moving into their Habitat home and 89 per cent said their family life had improved. For this study, 326 Canadian families who have received their Habitat homes since 2000 were surveyed on changes to their health, social and financial dynamics. 'Habitat for Humanity saved us,' said Cory Mennear, a Habitat partner commenting on the findings of the study. Cory's child experienced complications during respiratory surgery because of damage caused by mould in their previous home. 'It was heartbreaking as a parent to watch your children's health and well-being suffer because you can't afford a better home, but now we've left those worries behind and are able to focus on our futures.' 'Cramped quarters, unhealthy environments, unsafe neighbourhoods _ low-income Canadian families often face challenges in obtaining housing that meets their needs,' said Kevin Marshman, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada. 'The families who partner with Habitat are able to remove themselves from these difficult situations, build equity for their futures and begin living healthier, happier and more productive lives.' A leading advocate of affordable homeownership in Canada, Habitat for Humanity Canada worked with CMHC on this research to quantify the benefits and outcomes of their homeownership model on the families that partner through their program. Habitat's model provides 'a hand up, not a hand out,' with lowincome families paying the full fair market value of their home through a no-interest, no down payment mortgage that is geared to their income. Habitat for Humanity set up a Flin Flon branch, known as Habitat 53, last year. the group hopes to provide its first house to a low-income family by Christmas. _ Habitat for Humanity Canada, with files from The Reminder
