Like many families, Habtom and Mihret’s road to homeownership hasn’t been easy. Since moving to Calgary nearly eight years ago, they’ve worked hard to provide for their daughters while dreaming of a stable home they could call their own.
Keep reading to see how that dream will become a reality when they move into their affordable Habitat home in Airdrie.
A home where kids can just be kids
Habtom and Mihret have spent years in shared rental spaces that, while providing shelter, never truly felt like home. They’ve dreamed of a home where their children could laugh, play, and simply be kids without fear of disturbing others. Instead, their daughters—Abigail (7), Anna (3), and Efrata (1)—are constantly reminded to "be quiet." Even the sounds of their little footsteps are considered too loud for the landlord living below them.
Frequent moves have only added to the challenges, especially for their oldest daughter, Abigail.
“She starts making friends and we tell her [we have] to move to another school…So owning a home is like, you know that you are not moving anymore.”
Habtom and Mihret are hopeful that a permanent home will bring a sense of confidence to their three daughters.
The family dreamed of the stability of a permanent home—a place where their children could feel secure and truly connected to a community. But qualifying for a traditional mortgage wasn’t an option for them.
Turning a dream into a plan
Habtom works full-time night shifts in sanitation at a major food supply company, but the rising cost of rent, food, and daily life made it impossible to save for a down payment. Habitat for Humanity’s affordable homeownership model, with no down payment and no interest, put their dream within reach.
Mihret first learned about Habitat in 2018, when a representative visited her college to talk about affordable homeownership. Intrigued by the idea, the couple applied the following year.
Although they didn’t qualify at the time, Habitat staff provided encouragement and advice on how to reapply. In 2023, their hard work paid off—they got the call. They were accepted into partnership and would become Habitat homeowners.
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Habtom, Mihret, and their three daughters will purchase an affordable townhome in the community of Bayview in Airdrie.
Building their future
Now, the family is eagerly preparing to move into their new affordable home in Airdrie, and the excitement is palpable. Habtom has already started working on the 500 volunteer hours required by Habitat.
Every weekday, he spends a few hours volunteering at the ReStore before heading to his night shift at work. Both he and Mihret are looking forward to getting hands-on experience at the build site, learning valuable skills for maintaining their new home.
Big sister Abigail is looking forward to having her own room for the first time ever in their new home.
Meanwhile, Mihret has been diving into plans for their future home—researching yard care, exploring decorating ideas, and picking wall colours. Abigail, who has always shared a room with her sisters, is over the moon about finally having her own space to decorate and call her own. The family is already imagining how their new home will transform their daily lives and bring them the permanence they’ve been working for.
Beyond the excitement of settling into a new home, the couple is also looking forward to the financial stability that comes with their affordable mortgage. Without the weight of high rental costs, they’ll be able to save for their daughters’ education and invest in their family’s future.
With a permanent home, Habtom and Mihret are ready to give their daughters the stability and opportunities they deserve—and build a brighter future together.
“A home is so important for peace, safety and confidence. I want to improve our lives and a home will help do that.”
