Tiny homes, big futures

For Ben, a 17-year-old Ontario high school student with a growing passion for construction, 2025 marked a defining year. What had begun as a spark of curiosity in a Grade 9 tech class gradually developed into hands-on building — and most recently, into a clear and committed career path.

The key turning point came from a partnership with Habitat for Humanity in the form of a Tiny Home.

Through Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga-Dufferin’s youth skilled trades program — a hands-on construction training program that empowers high school students with real-world trade skills while contributing to meaningful community service — Ben and his classmates took on the challenge of finishing a Tiny Home.

While students from another school had framed, sheathed, and roofed the structure, Ben’s class took it to completion: installing drywall, siding, and foam board insulation; applying soffit and fascia to the roof and flashing to windows and doors; and painting, all under the guidance of professional tradespeople.

Tiny Homes are small, private and self-contained dwellings that are typically under 400 square feet. Though small, they include living and dining areas, a kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, and are intended for year-round use. The Tiny Home Ben and his classmates completed will serve as a short-term housing solution to support Indigenous youth in a First Nation community.

“Though tiny in size, these homes represent something much bigger — creativity, innovation, and real solutions to real challenges,” says Ben.

As a student leader on the project, the experience gave him more than just technical knowledge. It offered him the chance to grow as a mentor, along with gaining team-building experience and discovering a powerful sense of purpose.

“The youth skilled trades program helps students get required certifications — working at heights, WHMIS (Canada’s national standard for handling hazardous materials), health and safety — all the essentials,” Ben explains. “But more substantially (it gives you) hands-on experience: how to use tools and how to take care of them, building hand eye coordination, learning to work as a team, communicating effectively.”

“For me it’s built confidence and leadership. I think the best way to learn something is to teach it, so I can refine my skills as a tradesperson.”

Inspired by the impact of the program, Ben went a step further. Earlier this year, he launched his own general contracting business, specializing in framing, drywall and painting. He’s even begun hiring classmates who share his drive and passion.

“I love working with my hands. I like to oversee construction projects and see the whole thing come together,” he says. “My favourite part was being able to see firsthand the impact this program had on students … seeing them realize, oh, this is a viable option for a sustainable career in the future.”

Ben is one of close to 2,000 youth who’ve participated in the program since 2021, made possible in part by Habitat Canada’s Every Youth Initiative, which helps bridge the skilled trades gap by preparing young people for in-demand careers in the construction industry. And that gap is urgent: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation estimates that 85,000 additional construction workers are needed to have a shot at achieving housing affordability nationwide.

By giving students like Ben the skills, support, and opportunities they need, Habitat’s youth skilled trades program is building more than just homes — it’s building futures.