Our Homeownership Program

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Our Homeownership Program

Homeownership Made Possible for Hardworking Low-Income Families

Habitat for Humanity best achieves its mission through its Homeownership Program which helps individuals and families in financially vulnerable situations build and buy quality affordable homes by reducing barriers to homeownership.

Barriers to homeownership are reduced by selling Habitat for Humanity homes with:

No downpayment
No-interest mortgages
Payments set at 30% of gross income or less (including principal, property tax and insurances), and
Homeowner training and support services

This program gives families access to affordable housing while helping them build equity for the future, and as recipients of community support in helping them help themselves to escape the cycle of poverty and poverty housing, they are grateful for that support and are eager to contribute back to their own community and repay this by way of thanks.

Habitat Homeowner Selection

In order to qualify for this program, homebuyers must be able to:

demonstrate their need
be able to carry a mortgage, and
contribute "sweat equity” into building their own home.

How Habitat Keeps Costs Low for Partner Families

Habitat for Humanity reduces the cost of new homes by using:

modest designs
donated materials
volunteer labour
minimal marketing expenses, and
all mortgage payments received by homeowners which are reinvested back into the program, thus helping more families in the future.

Our Partner Families

People living below the poverty line who are able to repay an interest-free mortgage can qualify to become partner families with Habitat for Humanity.

Future homeowners put in hundreds of hours of sweat equity, share the labour of homebuilding, and participate in valuable training and preparation sessions.
In return, their lives are transformed by the positive experience of receiving a hand up, and the many benefits that come from owning their own home.

Our Volunteers

More than 50,000 people have volunteered with Habitat for Humanity Canada, and thousands more have helped build homes in other countries through our Global Village program. We depend strongly on our volunteers. They may be professional tradespeople donating a portion of their time and expertise, or first time builders who have never hammered a single nail.

Experienced builders gain the satisfaction of knowing they have contributed something of real value to people who need it most.
Newcomers have the opportunity to learn construction skills in a supportive and safe environment, and feel the pride of giving back to their community and their society.
Other volunteers work behind the scenes – on committees, raising funds, supporting families and advocating in their own communities.
Through their combined efforts, volunteers enable us to control the costs of home building, and make housing affordable.

Volunteers are a vital part of our history and our ongoing success.

Why Habitat Needs Your Financial Support

While some supplies are donated, there are many other items that need to be purchased before a home is ready for a family:

Land on which to build the homes
The hiring of licensed trades people to ensure all homes built meet industry safety codes
Any building materials and supplies that are not donated

If you'd like to make a donation, please click here.

Thanks for all your support – time, materials and donations!