Funding secured to build 1st home for low-income families in St. Paul

Left to right: the Guardiana family, SPACH secretary Alice Bourget, president Louise Severin, and vice-president Guy Laberge. 

Tuesday was a momentous day for supporting low-income families get into a home they can call their own.

The St. Paul Affordable Community Housing Society (SPACH) announced that through in-kind contributions, donations of time and services, and residents stepping up with cash donations as well, they’ve raised enough money to build their first home. 

For Jay-ar and Menchu Guardiana and their children, it’s a dream come true. 

“I’m speechless. We’re so blessed,” Jay-ar told Lakeland Connect. 

The final push across the finish line came from the Alberta Real Estate Foundation, which approved their $25,000 grant request.

That is on top of several commitments from St. Paul locals who are making this happen. 

Two local builders, 72 Developments, Germain Bros, and Barrett Built are providing services, and Ideal Carpets pledged to supply and install flooring at half the cost. 

Along with free local advertising and fundraising initiatives, work can begin soon on this long desired goal.

“That’s the money that we needed to put us over the top so that this first house can go into production. We’re starting to build in the spring,” said Louise Severin, president of SPACH. 

This has been years in the making, dating back to a successful home build in 2003, with the mission of home ownership for deserving low income recipients in our community.

The work will begin on one of the four serviced lots that the Town of St. Paul has pledged for the Guardianas.

‘Grateful and blessed,’ says worthy recipient

Families need to show the means to maintain a mortgage of $200,000, which represents 55 per cent of the actual cost to build the home.

They are also expected to contribute a minimum of 500 hours of community service.

The full title transfer will occur only after they have proven they can maintain the property, and keep the mortgage current for a period of ten years. 

Severin explained what into the selection of Jay-ar and his family.

“Jay-ar has been in the area for the last eight years, working and saving in order to be able to bring his family here from the Philippines,” she said. 

“They arrived roughly 10 months ago. It was just in time for when we were advertising for recipients for the home. They applied, they were selected, and they’ve been pre-approved by Service Credit Union for the $200,000 mortgage that they will be responsible for.

“Everything we need is in place for this to go now.”

Jay-ar, overcome by emotion during the announcement Tuesday, had a hard time putting the moment into words.

“We’re so grateful and blessed,” he said.

“My only goal is give them a future here in Canada. But God has a better plan…to give us a house, make us together again. This is a good year for our family.” 

V-Day fundraiser

In the future, SPACH will look to build another single-family home. In the long-term, the goal is to use the other two lots to build duplexes.

For that to happen, they will continue to fundraise, including putting an event this Valentine’s Day.

The dinner and comedy show is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 14 at the St. Paul Rec Centre, with tickets at $50 per person. For more information on tickets, contact Ray at (780-645-0975) or Guy (780-227-0025).