Vacant lot on London Street will become the future Habitat for Humanity home

A vacant lot in the area of ​​Wellington and Tancred streets that was sold by the city for one dollar to the Sault Ste. Marie Housing Corporation will be switched to Habitat for Humanity for a future housing project.

The house that once stood at 60 London St. was involved in the event of a fire on July 13, 2019, and last year it was offered by the city in a tax sale that received no bids. The property was eventually offered to the Sault Ste. Marie Housing Corporation for one dollar.

On Thursday, the District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB) approved a sale of the 30-by-100-foot property to Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area for $2.

“I just want to tell the board that we have aligned our business minds and we are offering you a 100 percent return on your investment,” DSSAB CEO Mike Nadeau said with a laugh during the board meeting.

Nadeau noted that the Habitat for Humanity board has already voted in favor of purchasing the property if it was offered.

“They hope to start developing on that site during the next construction season,” Nadeau said, moments before the proposal to sell the property was approved by the DSSAB.

In recent years, properties on Blake Ave. 23 and 162 Dennis St. also sold to Habitat in a similar arrangement. The Blake Street property was eventually offered to Habitat for Humanity and a new house was built offered to a family last year.

In an email, Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area CEO Katie Blunt said So today her organization is grateful for the partnership with the Sault Ste. Marie Housing Corporation and the City of Sault Ste. Marie.

“We need more affordable housing, and we need it in all parts of the community,” Blunt said. “When Habitat evaluates properties for its program, we look at location, proximity to services, access to transportation and ease of development.”

It’s important that the organization has a pipeline of properties, Blunt says, because work is always done two to three years in advance.

“Before we can develop 60 London Street, our staff, with the support of volunteers and construction partners, must determine what size house we can place on the plot, design the house and work with a family that is ready for the responsibilities of it. home ownership,” said Blunt. “We are grateful to have support from local government, social services, construction sponsors and donors. They help Habitat make affordable housing possible, which is a pressing need in Sault Ste. Mary.”