First of its kind program helps Sault family become homeowners
A Sault family has made the move from subsidized housing to homeownership, thanks to a first-of-its-kind program in Ontario.
Dawn and Jason Lebrun have spent the better part of a decade in geared-to-income housing, but are now proud homeowners.
"There's constantly life things -- vehicle maintenance, making sure your bills are paid, your pets," said Jason Lebrun. "It seems like it would've taken ages to save for a down payment."
The program is a partnership between the Sault's social services administration board, Sault College and the provincial government.
It tasks social services with purchasing and renovating homes with a declining property assessment.
Through Sault College, it utilizes labour from Ontario Works training programs to complete the work, which in turn sees them complete their certifications.
The Lebruns were then able to buy the home with a guaranteed mortgage over the next five years, using equity from the home as the down payment.
"I've already started cleaning out some weeds and making plans for where our garden is going to go," said Dawn. "I found some raspberry bushes out there so I cleaned those up. We're just both so excited to finally move in."
City Coun. Luke Dufour sits as the board chair for social services and said the project has been his biggest achievement so far.
"This is something that I've had just a real privilege to see it go from idea, to concept, to proposal and then now to have solid, tangible results," Dufour said.
He said social services is targeting homes close to downtown, in an effort to revitalize the area.
The provincial government has provided $900,000 for the program, but Dufour said revenue from the sale of properties can be used to renovate other homes.
"As long as we can keep the employment program going and finding houses at the right price, we're just going to keep on running this."
Dufour said construction of two more properties is already underway.
The Lebruns officially get their keys on Aug. 3.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Rainfall warnings of up to 80 mm among weather alerts in effect for 6 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres and other alerts have been issued for six Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Incident on Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge comes to safe resolution
Calgary police shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers dealt with a distraught individual. The incident lasted almost 20 hours.