“The day we received our keys changed everything,” says Krystle, a new homeowner who moved into her Habitat for Humanity home with her family in 2023.

For 16 years, Krystle and her family lived in social housing, in a neighbourhood where safety was a constant concern. The environment was often loud and unpredictable, marked by frequent police activity, vandalism and instability.

“It didn’t feel safe for my kids to go outside and play,” she recalls. “Most of the time I had them inside or I would take them to a park a block away.”

While working multiple jobs to support her family, Krystle did her best to create a home — even in a space that was small and crowded. Her daughters shared a room with bunk beds, and privacy was limited. But she kept pushing forward, motivated by the hope of finding something better.

Encouraged by her father — a former Habitat volunteer — she applied to Habitat for Humanity Edmonton’s homeownership program. Being approved marked a major turning point.

Now, Krystle pays an affordable, geared-to-income mortgage on a home that meets her family’s needs. Her daughters each have their own room and a sense of privacy they’ve never had before. In the backyard, they built a trampoline soon after moving in — something that had once only been a dream.

“It feels good to give back to something that’s given us so much,” says Krystle, who is close to completing her 500 volunteer partnership hours through Habitat events and community outreach.

The changes go beyond housing. With a stable home and lower living costs, Krystle no longer has to juggle multiple jobs. “I don’t need to work three jobs anymore,” she says. “I feel like my one job is enough. A lot of the weight has been lifted.”

The shift has dramatically decreased stress levels, improving her physical and mental health and allowing her to be more present for her family. Her eldest daughter is graduating from high school and heading to university to become a psychologist — ambitions she didn’t have before moving to a safer community with positive peer influences. With more stability, Krystle has even started saving for her daughters’ post-secondary education.

“I feel like the love within our family has grown because I’m able to be more present for my children.”

A set of keys has opened more than a door — it’s unlocked stability, opportunity, and a brighter future for Krystle and her family.