Right now, the family of four lives in a third-floor, one-bedroom apartment with their two young children, ages one and three. “All of us are just sandwich squeeze,” Eyob said with a gentle laugh — but the lack of space makes daily life challenging.
Apartment living
With their youngest newly walking (and climbing), safety has become a major concern. The balcony door stays locked at all times, just in case. Inside, they navigate tight hallways, shared sleeping spaces, and toys tucked into every corner.
Their suite also doesn’t have laundry. They rely on coin-operated machines downstairs, paying $4.50 per load. As Eyob put it, “Not all laundry is expected laundry when you have kids.” A simple stomach bug or messy play day can mean extra costs they weren’t planning for, something most families don’t have to think twice about.
Saving for a down payment felt impossible.
“I don’t know how people get that much money,” Eyob said. “For me it was something imaginary.” That’s why being accepted into Habitat’s program feels so life-changing.
Discovering affordable homeownership
Eyob first heard about Habitat for Humanity’s affordable homeownership program when he arrived in Canada, through a local support agency. He didn’t have family here at the time, but the program stuck with him. Fast forward to 2024: he heard about an opportunity to own in Airdrie. But that location was too far — uprooting their daily life, support network, and adding a long commute just wasn’t possible.
Then came the Chestermere announcement. Close to the city, close to their community of support, and a step closer to the life they imagined for their kids. They were invited to apply, and for the first time, homeownership started to feel like something within reach.
“Even if I lived a hundred years there,” he said of their rental, “nobody would give me a piece of sand. Now I’ll have my own home. Everything is happening for my family, and we are very excited.”
Building toward their future
As part of Habitat’s program, partner families volunteer their time and take classes to prepare for homeownership. For Eyob and Addis, this is an important piece of the journey. It’s a chance to learn, give back, and feel connected to the community they’re joining.
They’ve already begun completing their volunteer hours, learning about maintenance, budgeting, and what it means to care for a home long-term. They haven’t started their construction shifts yet, but they’re excited (and a little curious) about what it will feel like to help build the very home their children will grow up in.
That sense of connection has already started. Eyob and Addis attended the groundbreaking event for their future neighbourhood, where they met some of the families who will soon become their neighbours. They even walked the lot where their own home will stand one day — a moment that made everything feel real.
Everything starts from home
For Eyob, a home is more than walls. It’s the beginning of everything.
“Everything starts from home,” he shared. “Without shelter, it’s hard to start life. When I was alone, I didn’t care. But now I have a big responsibility. I have a family. We need something stable. Shelter makes my home very nice. I’m happy. Now we can start living. From my home, I am starting my life.”
