Donations needed to build Habit for Humanity home

Iqaluit residents may now donate to their local Habitat for Humanity chapter at the checkout counter of North Mart.

The charity is raising money to build a house in Iqaluit, to be given to a family otherwise unable to afford their own home.

Residents can donate to the campaign, called “Let’s hammer it home,” by purchasing cards, offered in $1, $3 and $5 amounts, available at the counter.

A giant hammer will be hung in the store, to be filled in as donations are made.

The house is expected to cost $180,000. Habitat for Humanity Iqaluit aims to have the house built by the end of the summer of 2007.

The charity has a $40,000 head start, from money given to them by an anonymous donor. Habitat for Humanity Iqaluit owns two lots, donated by the City of Iqaluit.

Not every family in need will be eligible to move into the home. To meet Habitat for Humanity’s criteria, the family must earn between $85,000 to $90,000 annually. That’s to demonstrate they can afford to keep a home that’s given to them, according to member John Henderson.

“It’s kind of scary,” he said.