Our Vision
A world where everyone has a decent and affordable place to live.
What We Do
Habitat for Humanity brings communities together to help families build strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable homeownership.
Our Values
Embrace Diversity
promote a culture of inclusivity
Work Together
collaborate and encourage teamwork across all aspects of our organization
Be Compassionate
practice empathy and create empowering opportunities for others
Go Beyond
strive for excellence and contribute to growth, improvement and new ideas
Practice Gratitude
appreciate the impact that donors, volunteers, staff and the community have on our mission
Have Fun!
contribute to a positive and lighthearted atmosphere and celebrate each other’s successes
Who We Are
With the help of local Habitat families, donors, community partners and volunteers, Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa builds affordable homes that provide a solid foundation for local families.
Habitat Greater Ottawa’s homeownership program offers more than just housing; it sets families up to be successful homeowners who are invested in their homes and in their community. The benefits of owning a long-term stable Habitat home are many. They include reduced reliance on social housing and food banks, better educational, financial and employment outcomes and improved health and overall wellbeing for families.
With over 55,000 Ottawa households living on low income, and with a 5-year average wait time to access social housing in our city, the need for affordable housing is only growing. Over the past three years, Habitat Greater Ottawa has transitioned from a builder of single-family homes to a developer of communities. As we continue to increase the number of homes we build, we continue to provide more families with the opportunity to thrive.
Habitat Greater Ottawa does not provide free homes — the families who partner with us invest directly in their home’s equity and commit volunteer hours to our organization. Families purchase their home at fair market value with no down payment and pay an affordable mortgage. Families who partner with Habitat Greater Ottawa understand that a home is a long-term commitment and an investment.
Interested in a Habitat home? Visit our Homeownership page for more information.
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa is on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe Nation. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land, and by doing so, give our respect to its first inhabitants. Habitat Greater Ottawa honours all First Nations, Inuit, Métis and all Indigenous peoples and their valuable past, present and future contributions in strengthening and shaping our communities.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee’s Mission Statement
At Habitat Greater Ottawa we are committed to removing barriers and creating diverse communities. We will continue to strive to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports and celebrates the diverse voices of our families, employees and volunteers.
Our Strategic Plan
Our board of directors has set a five-year roadmap to help us increase our community outreach and serve more families each year. The team at Habitat Greater Ottawa has ambitious plans to increase its number of families served. To that end, the Board of Directors maintains a five-year Strategic Plan which is refreshed every year.
Habitat Greater Ottawa’s five-year Strategic Plan is refreshed every year and aligns with Habitat for Humanity Canada’s National Strategic Plan across the following five pillars: Housing Innovation; Optimal Performance; Mobilizing Leadership; Epic Engagement and Sustainable Funding.
Read a summary of Habitat Greater Ottawa’s Strategic Plan 2020.
The Habitat for Humanity Story
Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976 in Americus, Georgia by Millard and Linda Fuller. The ongoing involvement of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn, through the Jimmy Carter Work Project that began in 1984, has brought wide-spread global awareness to our organization and its work. Today, Habitat for Humanity is a true world leader in addressing issues of poverty and housing, and operates in 70 countries internationally. Visit habitat.org to learn more about Habitat’s international story.
Founded in 1985, Habitat for Humanity Canada is a national, charitable organization working toward a world where everyone has a decent and affordable place to call home. With the help of volunteers, Habitat homeowners and 54 local Habitats working in every province and territory, we provide a solid foundation for better, healthier lives in Canada and around the world. For more information, please visit habitat.ca.
Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa has been building homes in Ottawa since 1993 and has served 85 local families over the last 27 years, including over 140 children. As an independent charitable non-profit led by a local Board of Directors, we partner with over 1,000 volunteers a year, and along with donors, community and future homeowners, build safe and affordable homes for local families.
Habitat for Humanity ReStores are home and building supply stores that accept and resell quality new and used building materials as well as furniture, appliances, home accessories, and much more, to the public. Shopping at a Habitat ReStore is a socially conscious decision, as the money generated is used to fund local Habitat for Humanity homebuilding projects and operations. It’s also an environmentally friendly decision, as much of what is sold is product that is new, gently used or customer returns that might otherwise end up in a landfill. Click here to learn more about Ottawa’s ReStores at 768 Belfast Road and 3 Iber Road