Since 1988, volunteers in Calgary have built 70 homes, providing housing for 209 children and 106 adults. “We are a very grass roots organization,” says Diane Reid, public affairs manager at Habitat for Humanity Calgary. “Everything that we do is local—the families chosen are local, people donate locally and our governance is local.”

The Calgary arm of the organization receives about 600 applications for housing a year, but unfortunately only two to three per cent of these families can be accommodated. Applicants must have children, be employed full-time and earn below the Canada low-income level. The Family Selection Committee reviews all applications, and those who meet the criteria and are most in need are selected.

Selected families must agree to invest hundreds of hours of sweat equity to build their own homes. Once the home is completed, they purchase it with no down payment from Habitat, who holds the mortgage, which is long-term and interest-free. Not paying interest on the mortgage allows families to build equity and to have manageable and consistent monthly payments, so that they are no longer exposed to fluctuating rents. “This is an incredible opportunity for families. We are looking to help break the cycle of poverty,” says Reid.

Right now, Habitat is constructing Sheftel Court, a 12-unit townhome complex in Capitol Hill, on land donated by Home Depot and the Sheftel family. “Eight houses were framed last fall and we expect to do the final four in May and June,” says Reid.

Future plans for 2007 include a single-family home in Evanston sponsored by Calgary Exhibition and Stampede, Qualico Communities and Nuvista Homes,
as well as, four duplexes containing eight homes in a location to be announced later this spring.

“Building these homes requires an incredible amount of labour,” says Reid. Over 40 per cent of the volunteers are women and many of the architects and engineers involved in the projects volunteer their time. “Our biggest need is regulars that can come out once per week and learn enough about building to supervise groups of four or five,” explains Reid. If you are interested in volunteering, whether it is a little or a lot, you can call Myrna at (403) 253-9331 at extension 224.

Habitat for Humanity Calgary is in the process of implementing a three-year strategic plan which aims to double its housing potential by 2010 and provide housing for 30 families each year.

“Right now our biggest challenge is land,” says Reid. “Calgary is an incredibly generous community and we have great hopes for the future.” NL