Joann has always loved her home and the neighbourhood she’s been part of for decades. From her front window in Halifax, she has a perfect view — of the sidewalks, neighbours passing by, her own front steps, and the familiar rhythm of her community just outside her door.

But for more than a year, that view was all she had.

At 71, Joann cherishes the home she worked so hard for. But as her mobility changed and the steps at her front door crumbled, getting outside safely with her cane or walker became nearly impossible. As weeks stretched into months, simple everyday moments — a short walk, visiting with a neighbour, stepping outside for fresh air — slipped out of reach. She found herself relying more and more on family and kind neighbours for the tasks she could no longer do herself.

"My home had started to feel like a prison — I couldn't leave it. People had to come in to help me,” shares Joann.

Like many seniors, Joann lives on a fixed income. A ramp would have made all the difference, but she simply couldn’t afford it.

This is a reality for many families across Canada. As essential home repairs become increasingly out of reach, too many households are living with issues that compromise safety and well-being. In Canadian provinces, 7%* of households are living in housing in need of major repairs. At the same time, labour and material prices for homeowners’ maintenance and repairs has increased by nearly 20%* since 2018.

Habitat’s Critical Repairs program helps change that by ensuring individuals, families and communities can remain in safe, comfortable homes while alleviating the physical threats and mental stress caused by living in poor conditions.

In 2025, Joann qualified for an accessibility ramp and replacement of her front entry steps through Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia's Critical Repairs program, restoring her mobility.

The first time Joann rolled her walker down the new ramp, she stood outside in the fresh air, watching people walk up and down the street. It was the first time she’d been able to do that in more than a year. A few days later, she put food scraps in the outdoor green bin on her own. It was a small moment, but for Joann it meant everything.

“Now my home is my home,” Joann says. “I can be in it when I want, and I can leave when I want. It’s back to the way a home should be.”

With warmer weather on the way, Joann is looking forward to the things she’s missed most: walking her little dog, Millie; chatting with neighbours on the sidewalk and watching their kids walk to school; enjoying a quiet morning coffee out on the deck. All the little everyday moments that make life feel joyful.

*Sources: CMHC and Statistics Canada