Habitat for Humanity says listing the property at 742 North Road for $539,000 without restrictions was “a very difficult decision”
(By News Desk)
The first house Habitat for Humanity built on the Sunshine Coast, at 742 North Road, is for sale without restrictions for $539,000. Habitat wants to sell the property to finance the future purchase of land for a multi-unit development.
“This was a very difficult decision for the board of directors,” executive director Ronnalee McMahon told The Coast Clarion. “Do you do right for one family in the short term, or for more in the long term? The market value of 742 North Road has grown considerably since it was built [in 2006], so we decided this was the best course of action.”
“After much deliberation, emotion and fond memories, the board of directors has elected to put 742 North Road up for sale. We hope you can see, like we do, that selling this very important first build will help us provide homes for many more families in the years to come,” the board said in a statement.
After the family who lived in the house on North Road moved on, the property reverted back into Habitat’s hands. Although the assessed value for 2019 is $576,000, realtor Kenan MacKenzie has listed it for $539,000.
“We had nothing to do with the asking price, we left that in the capable hands of Kenan MacKenzie,” McMahon said. “He is a great friend of Habitat, he was on our board when the house was built and a volunteer as well, he supports us and will not be taking commission. If the asking price seems low, I suspect it has to do with a significant shift in market value since the last assessment.”
A new building lot has not been found yet. “We are still searching, and to be honest, this is our biggest challenge right now,” McMahon said. Habitat wants a location on a bus route and close to schools.
Habitat for Humanity, a volunteer organization with a few paid staff, builds an average of two homes a year on the Sunshine Coast for families in need. The money comes from donations, grants and fundraising.
Many people in the community helped with the construction of the house on North Road, either directly with a hammer or shovel, or indirectly with fundraising and bottle recycling.
McMahon said Habitat has no plans to sell other homes on the open market.
About the time this house was built, I was trying to get on the list of recipients; a single mom on disability, and having to start over. I was declined because I didn’t make enough money. So much for helping families in need!
I think it needs to be said that the families who receive Habitat for Humanity houses are required to put in “sweat equity”–they must contribute to building the place–at least, I remember that this was the rule when that first place was built. This is one way Habitat houses are different from subsidized housing. There was a lot of mean-spirited grumbling when that first house went up–objections that unworthy people would be “just given” a house and wouldn’t maintain the grounds, etc. It is my understanding that people who receive Habitat houses are just ordinary people who, in years past, before real estate became an expensive commodity, may well have been able to afford the down-payment on a house. It is a sad state of affairs these years when even working people can’t afford to house themselves properly due to prices artificially inflated by speculation.
I think it’s the right call. Whatever it takes to help as many as possible. Good job Habitat!!
It’s good they work hard to help as many people who fit their income rules, not too much, not too little income, so if this 1 house can build 2 houses, good call. Probably not easy for those who helped build it, but they likely understand.
I’m confused. I thought a family applied for a Habitat home, put in 500 hours of ‘sweat equity’ and then was sold the home at ‘fair market value’. That’s all from the HFH website. How did HFH come to once again own this home after 10+ years? This article says the family ‘moved on’. Why did they not sell their home before ‘moving on’? The whole point of HFH is to facilitate home ownership for those who cannot save a down payment and then offers and interest free mortgage. Did the owners default on their mortgage?
Habitat retains the first right of refusal to purchase the home back and pay out the original homeowner which is what happened in this case. It is our intent to purchase another property where we can build a multi unit project for more families on the Coast