Habitat for Humanity Canada

Celebrating National Skilled Trade and Technology Week! From November 3–9, we’re spotlighting the importance of skilled trades careers as pathways to success for young Canadians. At Habitat for Humanity Canada, our Every Youth Initiative (EYI) helps make this vision a reality by offering youth hands-on experience in skilled trades. Through EYI, youth are gaining in-demand skills like general carpentry and finishing, workplace safety, building codes compliance, basic architecture and design, and project management fundamentals—all essential skills that set them up for success in skilled trades careers. A huge thank you to the invaluable support from #ScotiaRISE, Scotiabank’s social impact strategy that supports community programs including those designed to help improve participation in education and remove career barriers. Together, we’re not only building homes but empowering a generation with tools for success, self-confidence, and a strong sense of community. Join us in celebrating youth who are paving their way to bright futures in skilled trades! Visit our website to learn more about the Every Youth Initiative program and how your organization can get involved. https://ow.ly/XY2E50U1ktE #NSTTW #EveryYouthInitiative #ScotiaRISE #SkilledTrades #HabitatCanada

"Doing what we do is not easy. It's a complex assembly of inputs ... but our leaders are incredibly creative. They are innovate and solutions-oriented. And for us that has meant digging into how emerging home-building technologies can reduce the costs to build." Recently, National Director, Housing Policy & Government Relations Alana Lavoie spoke to Parliamentarians about the ways local Habitats are building innovatively to grow our impact and help put more families on the path to affordable homeownership. Watch here: https://ow.ly/r1qm50TXcfU

Another day, another amazing build! Congratulations to Habitat for Humanity Québec for completing this condo in Lachine, QC, with special thanks to builder MONTONI for delivering this project at cost! Six families, including 12 children, now have a safe place to thrive. #affordablehomeownership

Jennifer had always dreamed of raising her family in Dettah, NWT, the First Nation where she grew up, but a lack of affordable housing put those dreams on hold. Housing became an even bigger concern when the solo mom of four was forced to give up her apartment in Yellowknife after being medically evacuated for extended care for her newborn. When Jennifer returned to the NWT, she had no choice but to stay with her sister before eventually moving into an overpriced rental. Everything changed for Jennifer when she found out she was approved for a Habitat home, and today, Jennifer and her children are thriving. “I could not believe that my family was chosen. I cried tears of joy and I was so happy.” This holiday season, help bring homeownership within reach for more families like Jennifer’s. Donate before December 31 to have twice the impact thanks to our partners DCM. https://ow.ly/yVHH50TXf45

Many thanks to our friends at Urban Systems Ltd.! Supporters of Habitat Canada’s Indigenous Housing Partnership and judging sponsors of our #MeaningofHome national contest, they also support local affiliates out west from Manitoba through to BC. In 2024 alone, they’ve volunteered close to 500 hours – and they aren’t done yet! #Grateful for our partnership. Here they are, recently volunteering on a Habitat build site!

Congratulations to Habitat for Humanity GTA and Durham Region Non-Profit Housing Corporation on completing this wonderful and impactful project in the heart of Oshawa, ON. Thanks to your efforts, 50 more families now have a safe and affordable place to call home. 💙

2.8B people live without adequate housing globally. At Habitat for Humanity Canada we’re part of an int’l movement across 70 countries united to reverse that trend and ensure decent housing for everyone. Our thanks to Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada for spending time with our team this week to discuss the links between decent housing and SDG outcomes related to gender equality, climate change and sustainability, immigration and settlement, building strong resilient communities, etc. All of us hold a part of building solutions for the big challenges confronting our generation, none of us can do it alone. Collaborations and partnerships are key to meeting the social and development goals we are all committed to. Honoured to be joined by Patrick Canagasingham Habitat for Humanity International, the work of Patrick and his team leading our global strategy is ambitious, inspiring and purposeful. Much thanks to my colleagues Stacey Sawchuk & Alana Lavoie for driving our agenda this week and building new possibilities for our shared work.

We are pleased to see support today for our advocacy priority of GST/HST relief on new homes, including those built by non-profit housing providers like Habitat. This measure was the focus of our discussions with federal decision-makers this month at #HabitatontheHill. Like homes built by for-profit developers, Habitat for Humanity homes are subject to GST/HST, a cost we absorb to keep homes affordable for the low- to moderate-income families who buy them. Since 2017, Habitats in Canada have paid close to $19 million in GST/ HST. Following today’s announcement by the Leader of the Opposition, we will continue to advocate with all parties for GST/HST relief as a meaningful way to reduce costs for non-profit organizations like ours. Read more about our advocacy: https://ow.ly/zjpl50TUAnb

A shout-out to our friends at MCAP! Thank you for being wholly invested in Habitat through all areas of our work -- from Habitat Canada’s Indigenous Housing Partnership and Every Youth Initiative, to supporting builds at Habitats across the country, and more. Recently, members of the MCAP team came out to volunteer on a build site in Hamilton, Ontario. So appreciative of our partnership!