Young future homeowners were joined by local dignitaries and officials with Habitat for Humanity Red Deer on Wednesday to break ground on the organization's first ever build in Blackfalds, including a fully accessible unit of the four being built at 5600 Vista Trail in the fast growing community. (Supplied)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Exciting New project

Habitat Red Deer breaks ground on first ever build in Blackfalds

Aug 13, 2020 | 9:36 AM

Habitat for Humanity Red Deer celebrated its first-ever groundbreaking in the town of Blackfalds on Wednesday.

The event marked the organization’s 39^th, 40^th, 41^st, and 42^nd homes in Central Alberta and was held with the theme of “Building up Youth” on International Youth Day (Aug. 12).

“We thought it would be fun to have the children of our future Habitat homes be there at the build site to do the sod turning,” says Dallas Green, Development and Communications Coordinator with Habitat for Humanity Red Deer. “So they each got their own little shovels and they broke ground on their future homes.”

Habitat officials note the new build is an exciting one for them, as it is not only the first in Blackfalds, but will also be their first fully accessible unit, which will include a wheelchair ramp, stair lift, larger doorways, lower countertops, and an accessible shower among other features.

Central Alberta families that require barrier free living and who may qualify for Habitat’s affordable housing program are strongly encouraged to contact the organization on how to apply.

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Beyond this, officials say all four units will be built to meet energy efficiency requirements to the “Built Green” standards. The Built Green program addresses seven key areas of sustainable building: energy & envelope, materials and methods, indoor air quality, ventilation, waste management, water conservation, and building practices.

In addition to providing families with safe and affordable housing, Habitat officials say a recent study by the Boston Consulting Group revealed that children of Habitat families experience lower drop-out rates and higher levels of education by providing their families with strength, stability, self-reliance, and shelter through the Habitat program.

The build project will begin in late August with a target completion date of July 31, 2021.

Habitat for Humanity Red Deer is a registered charitable organization that is dedicated to helping Central Alberta families build better lives through affordable homeownership.

The organization builds homes in partnership with qualifying low-income, working families through a no-down-payment, interest-free mortgage program. Habitat for Humanity Red Deer has been active in central Alberta since 1994 and has since built 38 homes in the region with the help of dedicated donors and volunteers.