Some 16 Calgary families are about to get their permanent homes, thanks to their partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Southern Alberta.

The non-profit announced the completion of their first block of homes in the community of Livingston in northeast Calgary on Oct. 16, a milestone towards the completion of a total of 28 homes in the community since 2023.

The completion addressed a missing middle in Calgary—not of form or function, but instead in who is able to access housing.

The families selected to partner with Habitat for Humanity make up that gap between individuals who are unable to afford market priced housing, but who also make too much employment income to qualify for low-income housing, said CEO Gerrad Oishi.

“There are families who are working really hard, and our Habitat families have common jobs like construction worker, health care, aide, school, bus driver, transit bus driver. They’re playing really important roles,” he said.

“One of the things that we’re thrilled at as Habitat is that we’re the bridge. We can help families who are struggling achieve stable home home ownership and eventually continue to flourish.”

The entire project, which broke ground earlier this year in January, will be approximately $9.8 million in development, with a remaining $850,000 to be raised to complete the entire set of four blocks of row housing.

To date, more than 1,500 volunteers from numerous Calgary organizations have participated in the building of the homes.

“We’ll finish the first couple buildings in the next few months, and then the last two buildings will be done by summer of next year,” said Oishi.

Literally saving lives

He said the difference that having a Habitat for Humanity home can make for partner families can be profound.

“When a family is making choices between rent or the dentist, or rent or food, or the family’s on a very limited income, and their car breaks down, but they don’t have the money to fix it. But if they can’t get a car, they can’t get to work, they lose their job. It’s amazing how quickly things can spiral,” Oishi said.

“These are the stories that we hear, and yet, these are the families who, in so many ways, have done everything right. They’re hardworking, they’re trying to care for their families. They’re fulfilling really important jobs in our community, it’s just that the cost of living in our community.”

Families that qualify to purchase a Habitat home are able to take out a mortgage directly with the non-profit, with no down payment, no interest, and with monthly payments customized to each individual family’s income.

“Because it’s Habitat that provides the mortgage, we actually are able to pool those proceeds and use them to help see the next build and the next build. So really, in addition to helping families, we’re actually increasing the housing stock of affordable housing within our communities,” said Oishi.

Speaking on Wednesday at the milestone were long-time Habitat for Humanity home owners Thaddeus and Lisa, whose purchase of a Habitat home gave them and their three disabled adult children a permanent place to live.

“I know that my family would not be where we are now without Habitat for Humanity. They literally saved our lives – and it looks like they are continuing this fine tradition,” said Thaddeus.

Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services Jason Nixon said that there was a vested interest by Albertans, not just government, to ensure that there is sufficient housing in the province.

“The only way that we will face that challenge is that we do it together, and that’s why I like projects like this. It’s where we are taking together multiple governments, great nonprofit organizations like Habitat for Humanity, their volunteer work groups, putting them together to be able to create something like this,” he said.

“If we continue to work with those relationships all across the province, I think we will not only continue to be the best place to live in the country that we will solve our housing crisis, we may be the only place in the country to do so.”

The second block of housing is set to be completed by the end of 2024, with the third and fourth block of housing to be completed by summer 2025.