Friends, family, and volunteers gathered for a sod-turning ceremony in Yorkton as new construction begins on Habitat for Humanity Saskatchewan’s next affordable home. A quiet Yorkton street turned into a busy gathering place on Thursday morning, as community members came together to celebrate the start of a new home build for a local family. “They say when you ask for bread, sometimes God gives you a cake instead. And that’s exactly what happened. He didn’t just give a house, he is giving us a beautiful home built completely from scratch right here on the ground we’re breaking today,” said the new homeowner, Jasmin, in her speech. With support from Habitat for Humanity’s Yorkton chapter, the single mother of two is beginning the journey toward homeownership in a house designed specifically for her family. Her daughter Princess remembers the emotional moment their family was selected. “When [Jasmin] first got word that she was getting picked for the house, she actually started crying out of joy,” Princess said with a grin that stretched from ear to ear. Habitat for Humanity works with families who face barriers accessing traditional mortgages, offering an alternative path to ownership. The organization provides homes with no down payment and no interest, making the process more accessible. “We build homes for low-income families, and then we provide a mortgage to them that is no interest, no down payment, and they pay a mortgage to us,” Kelsey Stewart, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Saskatchewan, explained to CTV News. According to Habitat for Humanity Canada’s 2025 impact study, families who achieved affordable homeownership through the organization reported a significant improvement in their quality of life. For example, 79 per cent said their mental health has improved, while earning $7,500 more in annual real income after becoming homeowners. In Yorkton, this is the 11th Habitat home built, and organizers say every build carries special meaning for both the families and the volunteers involved. “You really can’t put into words what it means. Not only to us but obviously for the families that we serve, it’s just the most special thing,” Stewart said. “And a home is something that a lot of us take for granted. It’s really awesome.” As part of the program, Jasmin will complete 500 volunteer hours in the community before moving into her new home. She has already started giving back through local organizations such as Paws & Claws and SaskAbilities. In the meantime, her children are already dreaming about what their new space will look like. “Maybe I would have like my own room that I can store my toys in and I can play there, and I can have a separate room with my bedding and my clothes,” Jasmin’s son James told CTV News, adding that he would like his room painted grey and dark blue. Her sister would immediately expand their family. “I would like a cute little cat in my house,” she told CTV News. The home is expected to be completed next year.
