City council has voted to provide an $11,652 grant to Habitat for Humanity.

Council approved the grant – which will fund approximately two kitchens – at Monday evening’s council meeting.

The non-profit organization that works to build and sell homes to those unable to get a conventional mortgage is currently working on its fourplex development at 18 Bailey Place in Whistle Bend.

It will see two fourplexes built, each featuring a two-bedroom home, two three-bedroom homes and a four-bedroom home.

As Habitat officials told the city in a previous presentation, the organization had to pay $11,652 in development cost charges to the city.

It did not meet the eligibility criteria for a development incentive where the charges would otherwise be covered.

Because the project is not downtown and is not rental units, it’s not eligible for the incentive.

As it was noted in a staff report to council that came forward last week: “Habitat for Humanity’s model of providing affordable housing ownership puts them in a gap for funding opportunities under city policies and bylaws.

“However, council has the ability to provide a grant to Habitat for Humanity through resolution funded from the council donation account.

“The grant will be included in the umbrella grant bylaw at year-end.

“Providing a grant to Habitat for Humanity is supported by council’s strategic plan update’s focus on affordable housing and its commitment to implementing the Yukon Housing Action Plan.”

Since the Yukon chapter was established in 2004, Habitat has built 18 homes in the territory, with 15 of those in Whitehorse.

Habitat houses are sold to families at no profit, and financed with affordable, no-interest mortgages.

Those selected for Habitat home ownership are chosen based on their need for affordable housing, ability to repay a Habitat mortgage, and their willingness to partner with Habitat.

Along with meeting the mortgage payments, those selected for home ownership must put in a certain amount of “sweat equity”.

Habitat asked the city to reimburse the development cost charges to help move the first fourplex under construction toward completion.

Before council voted unanimously in favour of the grant, councillors Jocelyn Curteanu, Laura Cabott and Jan Stick praised Habitat for its work in building affordable housing.

They suggested efforts should be made to look at city policies around incentives and providing development cost charges for such developments.