Construction is underway on the Habitat for Humanity Cranbrook Project.
The home is the first Habitat project in Cranbrook and Gord Johnston, project leader, said the home is set to be completed by the end of July.
“It’s been fast and furious,” Johnston said. “We only started a week ago and we got the basement and foundation done. We’ll be putting the floor in next week.”
David and Coreena Berry, and their four children, will reside in the home once it’s built.
“Our whole family is so excited,” Coreena said.
Back in March, the Berry family was selected as the Habitat for Humanity partner family for the project.
Johnston said the family has been on site almost every day putting in their time. The family is volunteering whenever possible — doing things like stacking lumber and bringing snacks and refreshments to the other volunteers.
The 500 volunteer hours is essentially the family’s down-payment for the home. Habitat for Humanity Cranbrook is the holder of the mortgage, which is based on the market value of the house — around $151,000, including the lot. The mortgage is no interest and is on a 25-year term.
“It depends on the family income how much they would pay on the mortgage,” Johnston said. “We review it every year.”
The family will likely move in by the beginning of September, Johnston said.
Following the approval of the building permit by the City, the site was excavated and footings, rebar and forms were installed.
On May 29, a Salvador Ready Mix Concrete truck and a Kootenay Concrete Pumping crane and pumper truck arrived to pour the footings. Skilled volunteers are led by retired contractor Jim Bennett, and included Mike Conroy, Chris Faulkner, Jim Payne and Johnston.
Johnston said it usually takes about 11 weeks to go from foundation and floor.
“So all the excavation and the floor is in, and then it’s just framing, and then the trades are in there doing plumbing and electrical,” he said. “We’re going to be way ahead of schedule.”
Johnston thanked the local and corporate sponsors that helped to get the project to this stage.
“The response has been unbelievable,” he said. “Which makes it easier for us. We can soldier on when people are giving us goods and funds and time.”
If you are interested in contributing to the project, email Johnston at hfhwkcp@gmail.com or visit the website at www.habitatwk.ca under the Cranbrook Project link.