Building New Affordable Homes with Purpose Construction
Purpose Construction is a company located in Winnipeg’s North End. The company employs people from all backgrounds with living wages, full benefits, and a supportive work environment that feels like family. Since 2009, Purpose Construction has been repairing and maintaining Winnipeg’s housing in the city.
In 2022, the company started a program called “Purpose Homes.” This program develops energy-efficient and affordable homes and provides ‘on-the-job’ training. The program is paid training and gaining more experience for those in the program. Executive Director, Kalen Taylor states, “Specifically, we prioritize working with refugees and newcomer Canadians, indigenous people, formerly incarcerated individuals, women, and members of the LGBTQ+ community” in the Winnipeg Free Press.
Through the company’s program, Purpose Homes, they use job sites to train their employees. The training program offers various skills, including roofing, insulation, drywalling, flooring, and much more. Through classroom instruction and work experience, they work on safety protocols and training to ensure they give their employees the skills and knowledge to succeed in the construction industry. They also collaborate with other construction companies to provide jobs for their successful graduates.
Purpose Construction receives funding through the government and a $200,000.00 line of credit guaranteed by the Jubilee Fund. Peter Cantelon, Executive Director for the fund, said they offer ‘lending assistance’ for other businesses who want to work or lower poverty.
Purpose Construction’s new programs for homeownership had the Jubilee Fund very interested in being involved. In 2022, they launched the program with a 4-bedroom house at 351 Magnus Avenue, and they have two more homes they will be working on in the neighbourhood. With the funding they receive, they can subsidize the cost of construction, which will help low-income families looking for safe and affordable housing.
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These homes will be listed for $250,000. Low-income families will be able to apply for a lower mortgage. There are some eligibility requirements to apply for the homes. There are requirements for applying for the homes. Some of them include the following:
- The applicant’s annual income must be below $84,600.
- The applicant does not currently own a home.
- Must have dependents.
- And other requirements.
The home Purpose Construction built at 351 Magnus Ave in Winnipeg’s North End will have a family moving in when they complete the renovations. They also have two more houses that they will be building this year and plans to make two more homes in 2024.
The lot on Magnus Avenue was sold to Purpose Construction for $1.00 from the city.
The hope for these homes is to improve the shortage of affordable housing, positively impact the neighborhood, and lower unwanted criminal activities in the community.
By: Tricia Cook, Content Navigator