Four new homeowners are celebrating their new properties that they helped build.
The homes are in St. Albert and were built through Habitat For Humanity Edmonton.
“It was like a dream for us … I’m so happy and grateful,” said Irene Abatangana, one of the new homeowners. “I look around and see more than walls and windows … I see the start of everything we’ve dreamed of.
“This home gives us peace, it gives us stability and it gives us the courage to look ahead.”
Habitat For Humanity has been operating in Canada for 40 years. The organization works to provide affordable housing to people.
“By increasing access to homes that are affordable, we are helping to create long-term social and financial stability, not just for the individuals that will be in these homes, but for the communities itself,” said Ann-Marie Reddy, the president and CEO of Habitat For Humanity Edmonton.
The new homes have been in the works for around two years and are the third Habitat project in St. Albert, according to Reddy.
In order to qualify for a Habitat For Humanity home, applicants must be able to afford mortgage payments and be willing to actively partner with the organization, including a commitment to complete 500 volunteer hours.
“People misunderstand what habitat home ownership is about, it’s not social housing,” Reddy said.
“Homeowners have to qualify for a mortgage like any other homeowner, and what becomes really important is that they are contributing to the community.”
The Edmonton branch aims to do around eight builds a year, on average.
“It really comes down to our ability to raise funds, have municipal support, as well as having support from federal and local governments,” said Reddy.
The organization is currently working on a build in Sherwood Park and has another project starting in Leduc in the summer.
“When an individual comes into home ownership, they’re looking to try and create a life in the community that they’re already living in and that they’ve already built their social network,” said Reddy.
“It’s important for us that we continue to look at different communities and different parts of the city to build, where home ownership, affordable homeownership, is required.”
The province contributed $100,000 per home to the project, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation provided $125,000 per home and the City of St. Albert provided $100,000. Averton was the developer on the project.
The organization is concerned with the effect the ongoing trade war with the United States will have on their ability to build homes.
“The wait list is getting longer, we’re seeing more and more individuals and families reaching out to Habitat looking for opportunities to start that home ownership journey,” said Reddy.
“The cost of builds is also going up exponentially, and that is obviously making it harder and harder for us to be able to create more opportunities and builds than what we did, say, 10 or even 15 years ago.”
The Edmonton branch of Habitat For Humanity was founded in 1991 and operates in the capital region and northern Alberta.
