When you donate to Habitat for Humanity, you're helping to make the cost of home something every family can afford.

Families all across the Southern Alberta are paying too high a price to cover the cost of home.

Rent and homeownership rates are skyrocketing, while wages are not keeping pace. Far too often, families struggle to make ends meet.

At Habitat for Humanity, we know that a family should never have to spend more than 30 percent of their income on a home.

But consider that today 1 in 5 families can't afford their housing.

Alan and Eileen were one of these families. They were living paycheque to paycheque, without a hope of saving for the future, let alone a down payment for a home of their own.

With the cost of home being out of reach, and two teenage boys outgrowing their two-bedroom, one-bathroom basement rental, Eileen and Alan applied to Habitat's homeownership program and took their first steps towards becoming homeowners through Habitat for Humanity.

They have now been in their Habitat home for a year and have never felt more connected to their community or more optimistic about the future. Read Alan and Eileen's full story. 

1 in 5 families are denied the stability that affordable housing provides and are forced to make impossible choices.

Safe homes. Nutritious food on the table. Health care. Access to good schools. Reliable transportation. Which would you choose?

Alan and Eileen's affordable mortgage means they no longer have an uncertain future. The family is able to rely on Eileen's income working as an aide at a seniors centre while Alan furthers his education to re-enter the workforce. Alan and Eileen are now able to plan for the future with confidence.

The Habitat homeownership program has brought stability to the entire family, allowing them to thrive in a home they can afford, in a neighbourhood they love.

When the cost of home is a family’s future, the cost is too high. When the cost of home is any family’s future, that’s something none of us can afford.

We know the complexities that surround the cost of home. We also know the struggle, stress and pain of far too many families in our communities. Those with the fewest resources are forced to make the hardest choices.

We all have to take a stand and declare our commitment to ensure that no family has to pay more than half of their paycheck to cover the cost of home.

Everyone deserves to build the foundation for a strong, healthy future for their families. Donate today and make the cost of home something every family can afford.