| Jan 30, 2013


Volunteers with the Kingston & Frontenac Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity have been quickly learning about wells and septic systems, ditching and culverts. They are contemplating expanding out of their urban/serviced land comfort zone and doing a build in Central Frontenac.

Sharon Matthews and Tracy Bamford, relatively recent retirees on Long Lake, as well as Central Frontenac Mayor Janet Gutowski and Jane Drew, executive director of Central and North Frontenac Not-for-Profit Housing, have been working with Habitat for some time to iron out the details for a Central Frontenac build.

“We are not thinking about setting up a new affiliate of Habitat,” said Sharon Matthews, who has joined the board of the Kingston affiliate, “but the project we are developing for Central Frontenac is not a one off. We will want to do more, as part of the Kingston & Frontenac Affiliate.”

Matthews said that all the work involved in setting up partnerships and processes for a first build would be wasted if it ended there.

There are a number of important aspects to this first rural build that need to be worked out, and that is why the local committee is seeking to engage the public.

“The way Habitat for Humanity works in a community is that we seek as much help as we can find from all sources, from land owners to contractors to people willing to donate some time,” Matthews said.

The first two key items that the Central Frontenac project needs are a piece of land to build on and a suitable family to buy the house.

Through a volunteer effort, Habitat for Humanity builds efficient homes that meet all building code standards for as low a price as possible by making use of volunteer labour, donated or discounted materials, etc.

The house is then sold to the recipient family at market value price, but in lieu of a down payment the individual family contributes a minimum of 500 volunteer hours. Habitat for Humanity will hold the mortgage on the house, and no interest is charged. The money paid back into the program is used to build more houses, so successful builds foster more successful builds.

The Kingston Habitat affiliate has recently revised its means test for suitable families to reflect current financial realties and broaden the program. In order to qualify, family income needs to be a minimum of $29,000 and a maximum of $55,000, and there are a number of other factors involved.

“We are looking for working families, ones that will be able to cover mortgage payments, and families that are in insecure or unsuitable housing. Habitat is not meant as a solution to all of the housing problems that are out there, but it is a solution for a certain segment of the population,” said Sharon Matthews.

With the help of some of the local realtors, Habitat has been looking for a building lot at a reasonable price, and while there are some potential locations, they are still looking, preferably for a lot in the vicinity of a major roadway.

“If there is anyone out there who owns a suitable building lot, maybe even one that they are willing to sell at under market value in exchange for a tax receipt, we would like to hear from them,” said Matthews

As the project moves forward, there will be a huge opportunity for a community effort to take the project through to completion.

“From the response that we've already had, from the township council and staff, to the local businesses that have already come forward, we can see that Central Frontenac is the kind of community that can embrace Habitat.”

Anyone who has a lot that might be a good fit, or who would like to get on a volunteer list for a build in 2013, is encouraged to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 613-375-8343.

Habitat is looking to identify the recipient family as soon as possible, so they can be part of the process. Families do not need to be currently located in Central Frontenac in order to apply.

For applications for potential homeowners, call Jane Drew at 613-375-6142.

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