Habitat for Humanity now has solid plans to build a pair of duplexes, housing four families, at 863 Pinecrest Rd.

As reported in The News last month, Habitat had conditionally purchased the property and was awaiting a decision from the city's committee of adjustment on Habitat's application to sever the lot and for minor by-law variances required to accommodate the homes.

Donna Hicks, Habitat's new executive director, confirmed last week that the committee has approved the applications and that construction of the first home is expected to be underway by this October.

"The plans have been done for this," she said. "They really are nice and will fit well into that community.    And the families that we're working with right now to select are going to work well in that community too." "Our main concern was parking and safe access from the driveways to Pinecrest Rd.," said Henry Sweich, president of the Queensway Terrace North Community Association.    "The design of the homes included garages and unobstructed views of the road." During a recent meeting with officials, he added, "We heartily approved of the project and offered to help in any way the community could."

Gordon Lorimer, with project architects Barry J. Hobin & Associates, said the unit on the south side of the lot will have rear yards will be 17.5 feet deep, while the northern units will have yards 15.5 feet deep.

Following the expiry of a 90-day appeal period on the committee's decision, Mr. Lorimer said the southern units will be constructed first.

Habitat works with a sponsor on each build, Ms. Hicks said.    While the first of the units - which will feature ground floor garages and two stories above - has been funded by a contingent of RCMP staff, a partner for the second is still being sought.

The officers will also be assisting in the actual build, Ms. Hicks added.

"A lot of (the RCMP partners) are guys that have built their own decks, their own cottages.    They're going to come with an expertise, a skill level which is going to be really helpful.    They're really involved in the project."

As is the case with the city's rent-to-income housing corporation, Ms. Hicks said Habitat has a considerable list of families hoping to be selected as the future residents.

"We have a family selection committee," she explained.    "They interview all the families.    The families have to fill out applications; they have to do sweat equity.    If they don't have the skill level to work on a build, or for health reasons, then they're expected to do office work or help with serving food on the build.    They have to put in their hours."

Habitat arranges and holds the mortgages for the chosen families, Ms. Hicks explained.

"As their income goes up, they're expected to pay down more, but it's an interest-free mortgage.    Most of these people would not qualify for an interest-bearing one.

"If anybody would like to contribute or be a volunteer with us we'd be thrilled Hopefully there'll be some folks on Pinecrest that'll do that.

It's not just the build," Ms. Hicks added.    "We also depend on different groups - service groups, church groups, local individuals - to provide the food for the builds.    All that kind of thing is so appreciated."