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Garth Wallbridge, founder and interim president of Habitat for Humanity said his group needs a full-time president. - Lauren McKeon/NNSL photo

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit group that builds affordable houses, is seeking a full-time president to help speed up its efforts in the city.

Interim president Garth Wallbridge has served as the president since he founded the Yellowknife chapter in 2006. Once a full-time president is in place, the group will be able to build its first house in Yellowknife a lot sooner, he said.

"In terms of where we are at in Yellowknife, we're really not very far past the starting line of the process," said Wallbridge.

Habitat, he added, "needs someone as a volunteer who really has the interest as well as the time. I have the interest but it seems like there are more and more times that I don't even make it home from my regular job on the weekends."

Wallbridge is director of aboriginal relations at NorthwesTel.

"I really, really, really would like to see someone step up," he added. "Unfortunately, despite my strong interest, it's just not working."

Wallbridge believes a full-time president - who is able to do more ground work in Yellowknife - might make significant progress.

Habitat brings volunteers together to build affordable houses.

It was created in 1976 in Americus, Ga., and gained international recognition after its two most famous volunteers - Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn - helped build their first house in 1984. The next year, Canada created its first chapter affiliate in Winkler, Man.

Habitat homeowners don't get houses for free; homeowners are required to pay mortgages, but there is no interest charged.

Potential homeowners are also required to donate 500 hours of "sweat equity."

The delay isn't just due to Wallbridge's busy schedule, however.

The group is run by about 30 avid volunteers, but many more are needed to get the first house completed.

Wallbridge figured the group needs about 200 volunteers to do it - people are needed to build, to fundraise, to move materials and more.

"The first time that a project is built, it generates a certain amount of energy and forward motion in and of itself," said Wallbridge.

"My vision has always been that it would not be a one-time thing," said Wallbridge, adding he hopes one house will be built every year.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem recently brought the group up at Monday night's council meeting during a discussion on affordable housing.

"Habitat for Humanity is here," he reminded councillors.

The city has received calls wondering about the group, acknowledged Van Tighem. The city itself has a plot of land in mind for Habitat for Humanity houses if the group gets going, he added.

While Wallbridge is glad for the support, he added Habitat for Humanity is only one player in affordable housing for the city.

"Something like Habitat is only one small part of a overall housing strategy," said Wallbridge. "We at Habitat are well aware of that."