Habitat for Humanity home searches for site

Habitat for Humanity is close to finishing a new house in the Kennebecasis Valley, but the group still needs to nail down a permanent location for the home.

The unfinished home was constructed on blocks at Rothesay Netherwood School this spring as a part of a volunteer initiative led by students involved in a week-long international conference.

Momentum on the project has been strong, but it's nowat a standstill.

In order for work to continue, Habitat for Humanity must get the home off campus and onto a property.

Dave Delaney, the director of operations for Habitat for Humanity's Saint John region, said if the group doesn't find land in the area before the start of the school year it will have to expand its search.

"If we cannot secure a property in the valley we may have to look at coming to Saint John or other areas to locate this house," Delaney said.

Habitat for Humanity is still taking applications for the new home but that process is stalled as well.

Delaney said selection around future ownership depends on where the home is placed.

Despite the problem finding a permanent location, he said the group's first option is to keep the project in the Kennebecasis Valley.

"We would ideally love to keep it in the valley, keep it in the community that started the project," Delaney said.

"When you look at the valley, the valley area needs decent affordable housing as well."

Habitat for Humanity was founded in Canada in 1985 and boasts 50,000 volunteers.

The non-profit group's aim is to bring volunteers and community groups together to build affordable housing.