Two new Habitat-built duplexes in Blackfalds now have families in them. (Supplied)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

moving in

Habitat for Humanity gets $400,000 from feds for Blackfalds builds

Aug 11, 2021 | 1:45 PM

Four new homes built by Habitat for Humanity volunteers and trades partners are now complete in Blackfalds.

To boot, the Government of Canada announced this week it’s given Habitat for Humanity Red Deer a sum of $400,000 towards the two duplexes.

The investment comes from a pot of $32.4 million the feds have made available through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity Canada under the National Housing Strategy and the National Housing Co-investment Fund (NHCF).

A dedication ceremony was held Tuesday to welcome four families home.

“Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home,” says Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.

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“Our government is dedicated to helping those in need which is why we are pleased to partner with Habitat for Humanity to make a real difference in the lives of families here in Blackfalds and everywhere in Canada. This is the National Housing Strategy at work.”

Karen Vavrek, Habitat Red Deer CEO, describes the builds as a solid home base for families to move into.

“(They will offer) a platform for success at school and work and for upward mobility from one generation to the next. Habitat for Humanity Red Deer is pleased to be recognized as a critical part of the affordable housing solution in our communities,” says Vavrek.

“Our government partnerships help offset the costs of land and fees, allowing us to build strength, stability, and self-reliance for hard-working families like the four at our Aspen Lakes West community (in Blackfalds).”

Added Blackfalds Mayor Richard Poole: “On behalf of town council, I am so excited to welcome these four families, and Habitat for Humanity, to Blackfalds. I would like to thank the donors and volunteers for giving their all to this project, selflessly. This is the very first Habitat build in Blackfalds and I hope it won’t be the last.”

This is the first time Habitat Red Deer is receiving funding from the NHCF.

Meanwhile, Habitat Red Deer recently found a family to move into a Habitat home in Lacombe that had been built and then vacated.

Habitat notes that phase two of its Blackfalds build will include two more duplexes beside the current homes, with ground-breaking in early 2022. Habitat for Humanity Red Deer has now constructed 42 homes around central Alberta.

More information is at habitatreddeer.ca.