What we do

Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta brings people together to build homes, communities and hope

Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta is a local nonprofit with a simple, powerful purpose: help working families put down roots and build better futures through affordable homeownership.

We know the need is growing—thousands of families in our communities are paying too much for rent or living in unsafe conditions. That’s why every Habitat build happens right here, supporting local families and strengthening neighbourhoods.

Watch how Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta is creating affordable homeownership opportunities and transforming lives.

We make homeownership possible for more families

Across Southern Alberta, many families are doing everything right—working hard, budgeting carefully—but still can’t break into the housing market. Rising rent and the cost of living make it nearly impossible to save for a down payment.

Our affordable homeownership program offers a clear path to owning a home, with

  • No down payment
  • No interest
  • Monthly mortgage payments set at no more than 30% of total household income

This model helps real people, right now.

Since 1990, Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta has partnered with more than 400 families, changing the lives of more than 1,200 children.

Meet our homeowners
A family of five stands in front their home holding a giant key that says Home is the key.

Want to volunteer in your community?

Use your skills and be part of a dynamic team making a difference in your community. We have active local Chapters in Medicine Hat, Foothills (High River and Okotoks), and Brooks.

Find a local volunteer position
A circular diagram illustrating Habitat for Humanity's model: Build, Buy, and Reinvest. The cycle starts with "Build" (blue arrow), where families selected for Habitat homeownership help build their homes with volunteer and community support. Next is "Buy" (green arrow), where homeowners pay an interest-free mortgage based on their income. Finally, "Reinvest" (orange arrow), where mortgage payments are reinvested into building more affordable homes for other families in the community. A blue house icon is at the center of the cycle.

A proven model that builds futures

Every donation helps build safe, energy-efficient homes that families can afford. When homeowners pay their mortgages, that money goes right back into building the next home.

This simple model works. More than 400 families have already put down roots and started planning for a stronger future. And the impact keeps growing, year after year.

See the difference the Habitat model is making
A visual representation of the housing continuum showing a progression from Social Housing to Rental Housing, Affordable Homeownership, and finally Market Homeownership. The continuum highlights how Habitat for Humanity offers Affordable Homeownership and is seen as a bridge between rental housing and full market ownership. Each stage is illustrated with stylized buildings and trees, with Social Housing on the far left and Market Homeownership on the far right.

The housing crisis is local, so are we

These numbers show why Habitat exists in Southern Alberta: to create a path to affordable homeownership when the housing market leaves families behind.

93%

agree there is a shortage of affordable housing in Canada.*

63%

worry about sacrificing other basic needs in order to afford rent or mortgage payments.*

54%

say they are spending more than half of their household income on housing costs.*

Habitat for Humanity Canada. 2024 Affordable Housing Survey – Alberta Results

Where we build
Muhammad with his wife and two kids.

Building homes, community and hope

Habitat is like this little piece of magic where you have all these relationships from people who were strangers now being neighbours, working together…it’s kind of just like this little extra community.

Muhammad Habitat homeowner in Airdrie