Habitat for Humanity Red Deer Region Society is a non-profit, charitable organization located in Red Deer, Alberta. We are dedicated to helping low income, vulnerable families achieve the strength, stability, and self-reliance they need to build a better future through affordable housing. Working alongside Habitat Red Deer, families in need of decent and affordable housing have the opportunity to build and own their own homes.

Habitat for Humanity offers lower-income working families a hand-up, not a handout! Habitat Red Deer does not give away free houses but instead offers a homeownership program for low-income families geared toward their income. Selected families become Habitat Homeowners and repay a no-interest, no-down-payment mortgage with monthly payments set at no more than 30% of the family’s gross income. To become homeowners, families must meet eligibility criteria and contribute 500 volunteer hours through Habitat Red Deer and community volunteering.

Habitat Red Deer builds new homes with funding and community support including donations of cash, materials and labour where possible. The homes are then sold to the selected family once their volunteer hours are complete, and they will repay an affordable mortgage carried by Habitat Red Deer. Mortgage payments received from families in the program are reinvested back into new homebuilding projects to serve even more families.

Interested families must attend an Information Session and meet all the eligibility requirements to be considered for a home. Mandatory criteria to apply include: at least one adult in the home is currently employed full- time; the gross household income is between $45,000-$70,000; applicants must be Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents for 3 years; have an ability to repay a mortgage and other costs associated with owning and maintaining a home; demonstrate that they are in core housing need; have at least one dependent child in the home under 18 years of age; and have a willingness to partner with Habitat Red Deer (includes completing a criminal record check and completing 500 volunteer hours).

Family Information Sessions are public events hosted by Habitat Red Deer where the community can learn more about our homeownership programand hear aboutour current or upcoming home opportunities. These sessions also allow interested families to understand the family selection process, ask questions, and submit a home application. (It is mandatory for all interested families to attend a Family Information Session before applying to our program.)

You can support us by volunteering on a build or in the ReStore, donating new or gently used household items or building supplies, or by donating to us.

Decent shelter is something we all need to thrive, and with a little help we all have the potential to stand on our own. By supporting Habitat for Humanity, you are helping families achieve the strength, stability, and independence they need to create a better life for themselves and their families. We build homes throughout Central Alberta. To date, Habitat Red Deer has built a total of 50 homes in Blackfalds, Delburne, Lacombe, Red Deer, Sylvan Lake, and Three Hills. We continue to work towards building more Habitat homes in partnership with several municipalities. To increase our affordable housing supply, we require more sponsorships, volunteers, and donations from the community.

Habitat Red Deer changes lives and builds better communities. Your donation is critical to the success of our home building program in the Central Alberta region. There are several ways to contribute—donations of goods, building materials, money, trades labour and professional services are welcome. As a registered non-profit charity, your donations are eligible for a tax receipt. The gifts you give stay in Central Alberta to help local families and support the sustainability of our organization. To donate:

· Visit our online donation page Canada Helps - Habitat Red Deer

· Call our ReStore donation line at 403-309-0998

· Contact our CEO, Karen Vavrek, for donation and partnership opportunities at karen.vavrek@habitatreddeer.ca

The ReStore accepts donations of new or gently used household goods and building supplies. These items are sold to the public at discounted prices. Proceeds earned from the ReStore support our operations and projects. The ReStore is an environmentally friendly social enterprise, as the repurposing of previously owned goods reduces the number of items ending up in landfills. By donating items or purchasing merchandise at the ReStore, you are contributing to building new homes and helping to protect our environment.

Habitat for Humanity Canada is a membership-based organization of 46 affiliates who also operate 107 ReStores across Canada. Habitat Red Deer is a member affiliate, duly incorporated and independently governed by an elected volunteer Board of Directors.

The board has the power to elect officers, hold meetings, appoint standing committees, approve new board members, promote our programs, enact bylaws, and provides financial oversight of the affiliate. The Board takes all necessary steps to ensure the mission of Habitat Red Deer is carried out and is accountable to community stakeholders. Habitat Red Deer’s BOD is a governance-based board.

Every helping hand makes a difference! If you would like to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity Red Deer or learn about current volunteer opportunities we offer, please visit Volunteer Connector.