Crews are poised to break ground this month on four new Habitat for Humanity homes in St. Albert.
About 30 people gathered in the Midtown community next to the Enjoy Centre in southwest St. Albert on Aug. 15 to kick off construction of the city’s latest Habitat project.
Habitat for Humanity is a well-known charity that builds affordable housing. Its last project in St. Albert was Aurora Place, the 30-duplex development built in Akinsdale in 2012-13.
St. Albert city council voted last April to contribute $100,000 to Habitat’s Midtown project, which consists of four three-storey, three-bedroom townhouses. The project is also backed by Midtown’s developer, Averton, and the federal and provincial governments (who have each chipped in $400,000).
“Affordable housing is a national concern, and of course St. Albert is not immune to it,” said St. Albert Mayor Cathy Heron, and it is the responsibility of all levels of government to address it.
Heron said Habitat’s model of home ownership is a good fit for St. Albert as it integrates people into the community, much as the residents of the once-controversial Aurora Place development are now accepted members of Akinsdale.
“They become your true neighbours.”
Building community
Habitat for Humanity Edmonton president Ann-Marie Reddy said the Midtown project homes will be part of a larger block of six townhouses and cost about $412,000 each. The homes will be built by Averton. (While Habitat used to have volunteers build its homes, Reddy said the group has recently switched to professional builders, as they are more efficient.)
Reddy said these particular homes are earmarked for Black families, as they were funded in part by the federal Black Families Funding Initiative. The initiative is meant to address the fact Black people are the least likely visible minority to own homes in Canada, with just 45 per cent owning homes compared to the 73 per cent average for all Canadians.
Reddy said Habitat was now seeking families for these four homes. To qualify, families must have a good credit rating, at least one self-identified Black member, at least one adult with a full-time job, and a gross annual household income of $45,000 to $75,000. They must also be Canadian citizens or permanent residents and complete 500 hours of volunteer work in St. Albert. Those accepted will pay for half of the home’s cost through a mortgage (with Habitat covering the rest through a second mortgage), build equity, and eventually sell the home to another family in need.
Reddy said home ownership fosters stability and prosperity, as owners are more likely to shop and invest locally, care for their property, and bond with their neighbours.
“Affordable home ownership is not just a matter of economics,” she said.
“It’s about creating a vibrant and inclusive community where everyone can thrive.”
Reddy said work on the four homes was expected to start this August, with the homes ready for occupancy in early 2025.
Visit hfh.org/bfi for details on the project.
