Together, we build well-being and prosperity
Many people think of Habitat for Humanity Canada as an organization that builds homes. But the way we see it, homes are just the beginning.
To us, a home – and affordable homeownership – is a foundation for brighter futures and stronger communities.
That’s because Habitat homeowners gain more than a place to live. They escape unaffordable rentals. They invest in their future. They build independence and opportunity that lasts for generations.
When people thrive, communities thrive. When communities thrive, the whole country benefits:
- Since moving into their Habitat home, the average Habitat homeowner’s earnings end up almost 30% higher than if they had continued renting.
- The socioeconomic benefits of Habitat’s Affordable Homeownership Program inject $35 million into Canada’s economy every year.
Making homeownership more equitable
Who gets to own a home in Canada? Often, it depends on income, background, or opportunity. We are changing this.
We make affordable homeownership possible for families historically excluded from the housing market, including:
- Women-led, single-parent households
- Black families, who face some of Canada’s lowest homeownership rates
- Indigenous families, who often live in overcrowded or unsafe housing
- Families with disabilities who need accessible homes for safety and dignity
- Newcomers to Canada who often face additional barriers to financial stability
The families we partner with in our affordable homeownership program are freed from the stress and precarity of moving between unaffordable and unsuitable rentals. The newfound stability of affordable homeownership provides them with the means and opportunity to improve their health, education, employment, and community involvement.
“Homeownership has given me a confidence to know I have a stable home to provide for my children.” - Habitat homeowner
Imagine all the good things that could happen if homeownership was within reach. A world where children don’t change schools every year due to rising rents. Where parents can focus on building a better future instead of worrying about evictions.
That’s the future we’re building. With your support, we can make this a reality for more people. Take the next step:
“I definitely couldn’t have invested in my education without Habitat, it’s the one single thing that’s allowed me to reach a potential that in the past I thought was totally out of reach.”
The Habitat home Samar moved into when she was 12 became a foundation for her to pursue higher education.
Twenty-year-old Colin still lives in the Habitat home he grew up in. His early experiences with Habitat were formative, sparking his passion for building houses and shaping his future plans to become an electrician.
Together with Six Nations of the Grand River, we imagined a new kind of collaboration to build Indigenous community-led housing solutions.
Our recent report with Deloitte quantifies the social and economic impact of our affordable homeownership program in Canada. The results are impressive: Habitat homeowners have measurably better economic and social outcomes than other Canadians with similar characteristics.