100K WOMEN BUILD CAMPAIGN OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED IN REGINA

Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC) June Draude and Habitat for Humanity Regina CEO Dennis Coutts today officially launched the 100K Women Build project that will help two Habitat partner families become homeowners. SHC will be contributing $100,000 toward the project and two hundred women will raise an additional $200,000 for the homes, which are expected to be completed in late 2013.

"We are proud to support Habitat for Humanity and, most importantly, help Saskatchewan families share in the rewards of our growing economy," Draude said. "This initiative is just one example of what can happen when people from all backgrounds work together to create homeownership opportunities for hard-working Saskatchewan families who need a helping hand up to make their dream of owning a safe, well-built home a reality."

"Merging these two projects together with a goal of raising $200,000 is truly remarkable and shows what a group of committed people can do to make a difference in our community," Coutts said. "I congratulate the women from the 100K project and the Women Build group, led by Minister Draude, for their passion and dedication to help families break the cycle of poverty through homeownership."

The 100K Women Build project was born out of two Regina projects that have taken place since 2010 - Regina Women Build and 100K in 100 Days.

The 100K in 100 Days project was undertaken by a group of exceptional Saskatchewan women to help raise funds for a Habitat Regina partner family. The goal of the group was to raise $100,000 in 100 days with 100 women donating $1,000 each. In 2012, this goal was achieved in 49 days. The $100,000 covers the costs of materials to build a home for the family, who put in a minimum of 500 sweat equity hours toward the building of their home and then pays an interest free mortgage.

The Regina Women Build project was the first for Regina. Women Build is a Habitat for Humanity program that promotes women's leadership and participation in the construction industry, and provides concrete, practical opportunities for women to learn and practice trade skills under the direction of skilled tradespeople.

Since March 2009, the Government of Saskatchewan has invested $4.5 million to assist Habitat for Humanity Saskatchewan affiliates in providing a total of 90 homes for low- to moderate-income families across the province in the communities of Prince Albert, Lloydminster, Regina, Saskatoon, Yorkton, Moose Jaw, Nipawin and Humboldt.

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For more information, contact:

Linda Saliken
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0246

rish Bezborotko
Habitat for Humanity
Regina
Phone: 306-522-9700