“While we have worked hard, affordable and safe housing has been a constant struggle.”
For Said and Manal, that struggle has shaped much of their adult lives. They are now preparing to welcome a new chapter for their growing family. Manal is pregnant and due in early 2026, and together they are raising their three-year-old son, Adam.
After years of housing instability and difficult trade-offs, they are now future Habitat for Humanity homeowners in Chestermere.
A housing journey shaped by instability
Their housing journey has taken them across several communities in Alberta. Said was working as a chef at the Fairmont in Banff when the family first began building their life together. When rental availability tightened, they relocated to Canmore in search of more options.
That stability didn’t last long. Their landlord raised the rent and later decided to convert the property into an Airbnb, forcing the family to move once again.
Ultimately, they made the difficult decision to relocate to Calgary. While Canmore had become home, rising costs and limited rental availability made it impossible to stay. The move meant giving up steady employment, and Said worked seasonal jobs for a period of time as they tried to re-establish themselves.
Life in a basement suite
They arrived in Calgary just after the COVID-19 pandemic, at a time when affordable rentals were extremely hard to find. The family moved into an older basement suite with low ceilings and very little natural light. The space felt dark and confined, and the conditions took a toll on their well-being.
Little Adam often struggled with poor air quality and dust, while Manal found the lack of light affected her mood. The neighbourhood also felt unsafe, “Manal was often afraid to go outside alone because of the area’s reputation, and we worried about raising our child in that environment.”
A turning point for their family
Said first heard about Habitat for Humanity’s affordable homeownership program through a coworker. The idea stayed with him. When they applied, it was during an especially difficult time. His father had recently passed away, and Said was grieving while being unable to travel home to be with his family. Just over a week later, they received the call that they had been accepted into the program.
Said was at work when he found out. He describes it as a moment of pure joy. He couldn’t wait to finish his shift and go home to tell Manal. “It was a special, special day,” he says.
Living in transition
While they wait for their Habitat home to be built, the family has moved out of the basement suite and into temporary housing. Their current space is brighter, with large windows, but it comes with its own challenges.
The windows are drafty and the laundry is shared, they have purchased a portable washing machine to make daily life easier. Adam now has a larger bedroom to give him more space to play, even though it means Said and Manal have the smallest room.
A sense of relief and possibility
Looking ahead, the family is most excited about stability. Knowing they will have a permanent home in a safe neighbourhood brings a sense of relief and possibility.
“Stability. Dignity. A bright future,” Said says of his future affordable home. “ I feel safe. I know if I am gone one day, there is something for my kids. It means a lot for us as parents. We won’t have to move every year. Our kids will have the stability of going to the same school.”
Building skills and community
They are drawn to Chestermere for its small-town feel, access to the lake, and proximity to the city. Said is actively completing his volunteer hours and enjoys working alongside future neighbours on the build site.
He is especially excited about learning construction skills he can use as a homeowner. Understanding how his home is built matters to him, as does gaining the knowledge to one day develop their basement himself.
As they look ahead, Said shares his experience with coworkers and friends, pointing others toward Habitat’s affordable homeownership program and the impact it can have for families facing housing challenges.
“It’s a great opportunity for hardworking people that can’t chase the dream of owning a home. Its hope for us, for people like us. This is a dream.”
