Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce and Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board form a Collaborative Partnership to launch a Tiny Home Pilot for Saugeen First Nation

Under the direction of teachers and with guidance from Habitat, this pilot program will provide students with a hands-on learning experience over the course of the school year. By engaging youth, Habitat Grey Bruce and Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board will also be educating students about the need for affordable housing that has reached a crisis level and encouraging them to consider pursuing a career in a homebuilding trade. Further, this pilot program give students and faculty of St. Mary’s High School the opportunity to take an active step of reconciliation with Saugeen First Nation.

The approximately 250 square foot Tiny Home will serve as an emergency shelter for individuals and small families. Once completed in the spring, the home will be site serviced and operated by Saugeen First Nation as part of their housing strategy. Through this program, students will be encouraged to consider pursuing a meaningful career in a homebuilding trade.

Habitat Grey Bruce hopes that this pilot program will lead to more homebuilding opportunities for students in other high schools across Grey and Bruce counties.

“Our community embraces the Tiny Home program and the opportunity it provides to educate youth about the trades in homebuilding and the need for affordable housing within Grey-Bruce. The youth will be the facilitators of change. We look forward to the relationship building, the knowledge to be learned, opportunity to grow together, and continued partnerships in our journey forward.”

—Conrad Ritchie-Chi Nimkii, Chief of Saugeen First Nation #29

“The Tiny Home program is an innovative solution that will help meet Saugeen First Nation’s housing need. We are thrilled that our partnership with Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board will provide students at St. Mary’s High School the opportunity to learn and experience homebuilding first hand through this pilot program.”

— Greg Fryer, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce

“We are excited to work on this important project with Habitat for Humanity that provides housing and shelter for those in need and provides our students with the opportunity to give back to our community. Our students learn about the importance of supporting our communities and at the same time some essential work skills.

Gary O’Donnell— Director of Education, Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board

Contacts

Greg Fryer
Executive Director
Habitat for Humanity
[email protected]
(519) 371-6776 ext. 100

Gary O’Donnell
Director of Education
Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board
[email protected]
(519) 364-5820

About Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board

Committed to a vibrant Catholic education, we ensure quality learning experiences through community partnerships that nurture each student in body, mind and spirit and embrace the teachings of Christ, giving witness to Gospel values.

The Bruce-Grey Catholic DSB consists of eleven elementary schools and two secondary schools located in Grey and Bruce Counties in the province of Ontario.

About Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce

People in our community and all over the world partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and purchase their home with a no-down payment, no-interest mortgage with payments set at 25% of their income. Not only does this provide affordable housing for families in need, it also enables them to build assets, reduce their dependence on other forms of social assistance and contribute to the community through paying property taxes.

As an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity Canada, Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce has served 111 adults and 169 children since 1987. With our help, Habitat homeowners are given the opportunity to thrive, enabling them to build a better life for themselves and their children.

To learn more about how you can help create a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live visit our website habitatgreybruce.ca.