A Portage la Prairie Family will have a new home next summer, thanks to Habitat For Humanity in Portage. The organization is gearing up for its ninth build since it was introduced in the city in 2004. Family Selection Committee Member Norman Collier's been with Habitat since it started in the city and says their work wouldn't be possible without the support of the community. He notes when they had first started they weren't sure if they'd be able to even build one house, but says the giving nature of Portagers has resulted in major success for the group.

"There was so much support in the community, so many people stepped forward, and so many people were interested in making this project viable and making it work, so it went ahead and we have never looked back."

Collier says he's been involved in the family selection process since the beginning and has handed over keys to families eight times in the past 12 years. He says while there's no shortage of work involved in building a home, being able to provide that is something that's hard to explain.

"They put in a lot of effort into the building of the house, they have to contribute so many hours to the build. By the time you turn over the key, they've been through so much that there's no better feeling and no better moment for the family at that point."

Collier says there's a common misconception surrounding their work. He notes while some think Habitat for Humanity simply gives away homes, he notes it's more have a hand-up than a hand-out. He says not only does the family have to put in sweat equity, the home also includes a mortgage that must be paid by the family.

While they hope to be able to start the construction of the new house in the near future to finish it next summer, they need to select a family first. A public session will take place September 14th at the Family Resource Centre starting at seven o'clock that evening. During that time Collier says they'll discuss the organization's history and impact on the city, the application process, and what's involved in becoming a Habitat family.