Dozens of women picked up hammers in Airdrie on Tuesday as Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta launched its annual Women Build, part of the push to finish 11 affordable townhomes in Bayview.
The three-day event brings together women from across the region — from corporate leaders to tradespeople — to learn construction skills, raise money and help families secure housing. Habitat said in a news release that sponsors have already raised $97,000 for affordable homeownership across Southern Alberta.
“Right now, one in five households in Southern Alberta cannot afford their housing. Women Build is our response to that reality,” Gerrad Oishi, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta, said in a news release Tuesday. “By working side by side, women are helping families move into safe, affordable homes and building a future that is filled with possibility.”
The Bayview development broke ground last fall. According to a July 2 presentation to Airdrie city council, four homes are now at the “lock-up” stage with doors and windows installed, while the remaining seven are framed and undergoing inspections. Habitat said interiors are being completed through the summer, with landscaping scheduled for the fall.
The July 2 presentation also said eight of the 11 families have already been selected, representing 20 children. Parents work in jobs such as sanitation and maintenance, electrician, assembler, early childhood educator, health care aide, retail manager, administration, baggage services, and an assistant director of admissions. Families are contributing 500 volunteer hours, including time at the build site where they are meeting new neighbours and becoming familiar with their community, and are completing financial and home maintenance education.
In a June 3 letter to council, Habitat said the $3.7-million development will add $4.5 million worth of affordable housing to Airdrie’s supply and create permanent affordability by recycling homes to new families once equity is reached.
The City of Airdrie has already contributed $100,500 to the project through its Affordable Housing Reserve Fund and fee waivers. Habitat told council it is seeking an additional one-time contribution of $275,000 to complete the funding stack, which also includes $1.8 million from its Fund for Humanity, $691,200 from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., and $800,000 from fundraising.
Council voted July 2 to table the $275,000 request until September, directing staff to return with an update and recommendations on all housing funding. A staff report recommended council not allocate further funds at this time, warning that diverting dollars could jeopardize outcomes under the city’s new Affordable Housing Capital Investment Plan, which calls for $39 million over ten years to build 195 non-market rental homes.
Habitat said in its news release that affordable homeownership is particularly critical for women-led families, with 41 per cent of its homeowners being single parents and 89 per cent of those households led by women.
Families will purchase the Bayview townhomes through Habitat’s Affordable Homeownership Program, which requires no down payment, no interest, and caps monthly payments at 30 per cent of income.
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