Habitat for Humanity begins building home for single mom of 2 in Winnipeg

A Winnipeg mother who once lived in her car with two sons will soon be the proud owner of her first home.

Shelley Sauve and her two sons, Gary and Miguel, are the latest Winnipeg family to partner with Habitat for Humanity to build a home.

"We've been all over. The most we've ever stayed anywhere was five years in one place when my youngest was starting school," said Sauve.

• Habitat for Humanity launches home repairs, renos program

Habitat for Humanity begins building home for single mom of 2 in Winnipeg

8 years ago

Duration 0:59

A Winnipeg mother who once lived in her car with two sons will soon be the proud owner of her first home.Sauve is a single mother who has often worked several jobs to make ends meet. The family moved when rent became unaffordable or work became scarce. 

The trio lived in their car for two weeks over Christmas in 2012, when they were in between apartments.

"It was so cold," said Sauve.

Both of her boys have autism. Gary, 20, is working toward his high school diploma. Miguel,13, also has a mild form of muscular dystrophy, which means he may one day need to use a wheelchair.

The home will be built with accessibility in mind and be equipped with a lift system to ensure the house will fit the family's needs in the years to come. The boys will each finally have their own rooms.

"It means that I'm never going to spend another Christmas in the car again," said Gary Sauve.

"It's been tough. I've had a few boxes that in between each and every move to each apartment that just never gets unpacked."

The house build kicked off on Monday and will continue over the next nine days. Habitat for Humanity and volunteers from the University of Manitoba's Rady Faculty of Health Sciences will completely frame the house before handing it over to contractors for the finishing touches.

Sweat equity

The family also has to put in 500 hours of "sweat equity" — time helping to build Habitat homes. At least 100 of those hours will be on their own home.

"Homeownership changes how children are health-wise. They tend to go on and get a better education. The parents tend to go on and get a better education, which means they are more self-sufficient," said Michelle Pereira with Habitat for Humanity.

"We're just a hand up. We're just trying to help them along the way … to a better place where they can thrive," she said.

Sauve said she looks forward to possibly opening a home daycare to help supplement her income. She also hopes to get a dog for Miguel to act as a service dog and help him deal with his condition.

"It's amazing. It's stability. It's security. My kids will get healthy," said Sauve.

The home will be ready in six to eight months, depending on labour and weather. Sauve said she hopes to be in the house by Christmas.