The Hearts and Hands for Homes Society remains in the process of considering its options following a B.C. Supreme Court decision this week ordering the group to hand over its assets to Habitat for Humanity Canada.
"The decision is new for us so we have to take some time and look at what our options are," Hearts and Hands board chair Vivian Pyladuik said Thursday.
In a decision issued Wednesday, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Neena Sharma ruled in favour of Habitat Canada in a long-running battle following disaffiliation of the local group from the national organization in October 2013.
In the process, Sharma ordered Hearts and Hands to hand over several pieces of property including the ReStore. Sharma also gave Hearts and Hands 30 days to provide Habitat Canada an accounting of all its assets and liabilities as of the day of disaffiliation.
Then known as Habitat for Humanity Prince George, Hearts and Hands was disaffiliated over an alleged refusal to live up to standards Habitat Canada had in place regarding governance and operations.
In a statement, Habitat Canada chief operating officer Susan Smith said it was unfortunate the matter had to come before the court but she is pleased Habitat Canada's position that the affiliation agreement with the Prince George group required transfer of assets upon disaffiliation was ratified.
"The ruling has upheld these agreements and we will now proceed with evaluating the most effective way of transferring those assets back under the umbrella of Habitat for Humanity Canada. In the time ahead, we will be reviewing the best way to serve the needs of the Prince George community under the mission and values of Habitat for Humanity Canada," Smith said.
"Partner homeowners are central to the work of Habitat for Humanity Canada and the prime reason that we pursued this matter was to protect their agreements and interests."
The non-profit Habitat movement provides housing, built by volunteers, to low-income families. Habitat Prince George was incorporated in 2001. Its charitable status from Canada Revenue was carried over to Hearts and Homes.
Hearts and Hands executive director Jo-Ann Pickering said the board will meet with the group's lawyer next week to discuss options.
