The Regina-Leader Post
By Barbara Woolsey, Leader-Post
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Hamsa Jamas, his wife and four children -- who moved from Somalia two years ago -- received the keys to Habitat for Humanity Regina's latest project at a press conference Tuesday.
"I'm so excited, it feels good," said Khadra Said, Jamas' wife. "We are newcomers, we need help. We will be good to be in this house."
The single-family, two-storey home at 1631 Retallack St. is the product of 2,500 hours of volunteer work and community support. With four bedrooms, a pantry and a full, undeveloped basement, the house is a perfect fit for the family.
"It makes a lot of difference," said Jamas. "Back home in Somalia, there was no opportunity, nothing. Here, is good. Regina people are friendly."
Previously, they were living in a one-bedroom house in Regina, struggling to become stable.
Now, they have "a backyard where the kids can play and all the rooms for them," said Jamas.
"They are a hard-working family ... the husband works seven days a week but he took days off to help build on the house, so they've been very dedicated to the process," said Teresa Kendall, director of operations for Habitat Regina. "For them to have a home of their own with bedrooms for the kids is ideal."
This is the sixth home to be built by Habitat Regina in 2010, and it has plans to complete three more.
In partnership with the provincial government and the city, the organization has pledged to building within the North Central area as a solution to the local affordable housing crisis.
"We have now recently had another commitment from the city for enough lots to carry us through the next two years," said Bob Linner, Habitat Regina's board chair. "We move forward with the security that we have lots in the inner city for another 12 homes, at least."
Farm Credit Canada has also agreed to donate $150,000 and 1,400 volunteer hours over the next three years, on top of a $1-million investment announced by the Saskatchewan Housing Corp. last April.
Habitat is currently building basements for six houses, a project that will finish next summer.
"We (promised) we would be part of helping revitalize the inner city by providing home ownership, house by house, family by family," said Linner.
"We are starting to rebuild some of the spirit and energy of this area and we couldn't have done it without incredibly generous support."