Habitat for Humanity Learns Buyer Beware

Monday, September 25, 2006 08:23 PM

Habitat for Humanity has learned the hard way, the line of "buyer beware."

The organization which provides housing to those who can’t otherwise afford a home, bought a piece of property on Norwood Street for $22,000.00 dollars. They jumped on the purchase because the price seemed too good to be true. With plans to put up a duplex, Habitat went to City Hall and found the offsite work needed to bring the lot up to neighbourhood standards, will add another $50 thousand dollars in fees and repairs.

At issue nearly $11,000 in development fees which the City could forgive. However, there would still be another $40 thousand dollars in the necessary work which would include curbs, gutters and paving.

Council has approved forgiving the development fees for the group, but the balance of work needed to bring the lot up to neighbourhood standards remains a responsibiity of Habitat for Humanity.

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Posted on Monday, September 25, 2006 08:23 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Runner46 on September 25 2006 9:06 PM

Good call!!!

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on September 25 2006 10:38 PM

Bullcrap! Charge them just like anyone else. If they don't pay the $11,000 in development fees, the city just passes it on to the next builder.

The H f H is in business because they fiquire the people that build houses charge too much, well I say eat your surprise!

Posted by: murdog on September 26 2006 2:49 AM

Re: YamaDooPolCat, Habitat for Humanity is not in business because they fiquire the people that build houses charge too much. They are in business to "mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty", which isa quote from their web site. Don't forget this is a volunteer organization, not a for profit business. The City and Regional district often fund or help on in the funding of many volunteer organizations. I belive the city acted appropiately in this circumstance.

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on September 26 2006 7:57 AM

So then all builders should have the development charges donated to keep housing "affordable" if the house is under 1,200 sf.

Hopefully the BCBC rules don't have to be relaxed (donated) as well. Following the rules is expensive.

Posted by: thereasonableman on September 26 2006 8:54 AM

I have to agree with murdog, this is a special interest group, with special interests in mind. They are not competing with regular homebuilders or competing for their clientele. They are providing affordable housing for people that would never be in the market for a house. CMHC does the same thing, with renting out suitable housing cheaply to people who have no opportunity otherwise. This is something that builds and keeps a community spirit. I would want to see their results and their rate of success, as well as their operating principles before being critical.

Posted by: Runner46 on September 26 2006 10:09 AM

It seems to me that sometimes we crap all over our Councillors for not doing the right thing.

Again, kudos to them!!!

Decision made, now lets move onto something that requires a bit of grey matter.

Posted by: Harbinger on September 26 2006 6:51 PM

After I pay all my city taxes, I am a non-profit society unto myself.