Left to right: Angela Pitt, MLA Airdrie-East; Gerrad Oishi, President and CEO, Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta; Darrell Belyk, Deputy Mayor, City of Airdrie; Santhiago, son of Habitat homeowner; Brendan McCashin, Director of Land Development, Genesis Land.
On September 12, Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta broke ground on 11 affordable townhomes in Airdrie, spanning an entire city block in the community of Bayview. Habitat was joined by representatives from the municipal and provincial governments, donors, volunteers and other community partners to celebrate this milestone. These homes will offer families the opportunity to build strength, stability and independence through affordable homeownership and will bring $4.5 million of affordable housing to the community.
“The families that will purchase these homes hold essential jobs in our community, such as bus drivers, construction workers or healthcare aides. These parents are doing everything right but cannot qualify for a mortgage given today’s high cost of housing,” says Gerrad Oishi, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta. “We are part of a new way of thinking of delivering housing. With support from the government and the private sector, along with participation from community, we are able to develop entire city blocks of affordable housing.”
The need for affordable housing is rising in communities across Southern Alberta, including Airdrie. Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta participated in the City of Airdrie’s Housing Solutions Working Group to help address this need. The Working Group set a goal of adding 100 affordable units within the City of Airdrie, and this Habitat development in Bayview will accomplish 10 per cent of this target by the end of 2025.
Every Habitat build is made possible by the ongoing generosity of donors, sponsors, partners, and volunteers. Habitat is working with the community to reach its fundraising goal. The City of Airdrie is contributing more than $100,000 toward this project through an investment from the Affordable Housing Reserve Fund and other incentives and tax benefits.
“All of our residents deserve access to safe and secure housing,” says City of Airdrie Mayor Peter Brown. “When organizations like Habitat for Humanity expand our housing options, it strengthens our community and ensures that Airdrie remains a place of opportunity, growth and belonging for all.”
Families will purchase their homes through Habitat’s no down payment, interest-free mortgage with monthly payments customized to each family’s income, allowing them to build financial stability and independence.
Habitat for Humanity is rising to meet the need for affordable housing in Southern Alberta. Last year, Habitat delivered more than $10 million in affordable housing, with plans for an additional $24 million underway, including these homes in Airdrie.
