Community First helped to kick-start our fund raising campaign
The Juniper Housing Co-op started in 2005, with discussions amongst community groups about housing issues, and about the problems faced by new immigrants.
One concern was the fact that in many instances there were three generations of a family living in one unit, and the resulting congestion was causing stress. Another concern was the difficulties faced by new immigrants, many of them without much money, in adjusting to life in Saskatoon.
And so the idea was born. Juniper Housing Co-op would be built to provide affordable, independent living with its members forming a supportive community.
Land was donated, and Abraham Yuen, with an extensive background in community housing initiatives, began organising the project. One of his biggest jobs, of course, was arranging the financing. A partnership with Community First kick-started the raising of $4.7 million necessary to build this project.
Community First helped 120 low-income Saskatoon families make the transition from renting to being home owners by arranging the financing for Quint's Neighbourhood Home Ownership Program from the Bronfman Family Foundation Urban Issues program.
Through this innovative program, tenants were able to overcome the major barrier to home ownership; the inability to raise a down payment on a house. By participating in a housing co-op, they were able to take over a mortgage at the end of 5 years.
Quint was able to buy and renovate two apartment buildings in Pleasant Hill using financing arranged by Community First. As well as providing affordable shelter, Quint's programming works to provide community development support amongst the tenants.