Habitat for Humanity Red Deer breaks ground on 51st home

“It’s a unique home just because of the situation we were in. We wanted to get shovels in the ground and still build this year, so we decided just to go with a single-family home. Normally, we’d go with a duplex or a triplex but this time we decided to go with a single home,” he said.

(rdnewsNOW/Ian Gustafson)

The home is expected to be finished by June or July 2026 and officials hope to get the foundation of the home completed before the winter months arrive later this year.

Blois explained, they’ve narrowed down the search to five families.

“We don’t give homes away. The people who are moving into our homes volunteer 500 hours with us before they can move in and they pay a mortgage just like everyone else does,” he added. “It’s just an affordable mortgage like everyone should be able to have. It’s based on a percentage of their income.”

The impact they’ve had on families in the region after building 50 homes has been significant. According to Habitat for Humanity, to date, families have seen an 80 per cent increase in mental health, a 50 per cent increase in students attending post-secondary school, and a 30 per cent increase in income.

“It’s just this trickle down effect where this family gets a foot hold and then they can start building intergenerational stability,” said Blois. “That’s what we’re looking for, is for people who are already hard working and just can’t get that down payment together, can’t manage as a single mother or father, and just giving them the opportunity they deserve.”

The organization has a contractor in place but Blois said they’re always looking for volunteers to help out, especially corporate volunteers that are looking for a corporate team building day.

“It’s a great opportunity to give back to the community. We need everything from people hammering nails to painting and sweeping floors.”

by Ian Gustafson

Habitat for Humanity Red Deer breaks ground on 51st home

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