Dear Habitat Supporter,

Doesn’t every family deserve to have a place to call home? A safe space where children can play without fear, where parents can build financial stability, and where dreams for the future can take root and grow.

But right now, in our greater Ottawa community, too many families are trapped in a cycle of unsafe housing and financial insecurity that seems impossible to break.

You’ve seen how local families in Ottawa and surrounding communities build strength and stability through affordable homeownership—will you consider making a financial gift today to help us build more homes?

The cost of living continues to climb, while housing supply struggles to keep pace. Over 80% of Canadians feel that the goal of owning a home — and building equity — is now heartbreakingly out of reach.

Cynthia, a single parent who came to Ottawa from Burundi, once believed the dream of homeownership would remain just that — a dream. Before finding Habitat, Cynthia and her son Asher lived in a poorly insulated home with exposed electrical wires and rat infestations.

The neighborhood was so unsafe that Asher couldn’t play outside. Most of Cynthia’s paycheck went toward rent, making it impossible to save for their future.

“I put my faith into Habitat for Humanity, and they put their faith into me,” Cynthia told us after moving into her new home last year. The change has been dramatic but not in the way you might think. It’s the small moments of peace that matter most – watching Asher play safely outside with neighborhood friends, being able to save for his education, and finally having the mental space to dream about her own future again.

This is what your support makes possible. Not just a house but a complete transformation in what a family believes is possible for their future. That’s the very definition of home.

The affordable housing crisis in the Ottawa area grows more urgent every day. With rents continuing to climb while wages remain stagnant, nearly 60% of Canadians experienced sacrificing food, clothing and other living essentials just to keep a roof over their heads. Ceu and Amang know this struggle all too well – juggling work, raising a family and trying to save for their children’s future while facing rising rental costs and the uncertainty of finding stable housing.

But last year, that changed as Ceu amd Amang finally received the keys to their very own home in Kemptville. “We no longer have the anxiety of living paycheque to paycheque and uncertainty of the future. We look forward to being able to save up for our children’s education. My husband and I can also now focus on building our careers,” Amang shared, reflecting on the journey that brought them here.

Your gift of $50, $100, or whatever you can give today will help another family like Ceu and Amang’s break free from unsafe living conditions. Will you make a donation today to help more local families break the cycle of housing insecurity and build stable futures through affordable homeownership?

The beauty of Habitat’s model is how it creates lasting change across generations. We don’t simply give houses away. Habitat families contribute hundreds of volunteer hours and pay an affordable mortgage with no down payment required. This model creates pride of ownership while helping families build equity and financial stability.

Carlos and Eva’s family show the powerful ripple effects of a Habitat home over time. Before becoming Habitat homeowners in 2006, they lived in a neighborhood where crime and violence were so common that family members were afraid to visit. Inside their home, they battled mold and constant pest problems. But everything changed when they received the keys to their Habitat home in Ottawa.

Their children immediately noticed they could breathe better without mold in the air. They could play outside safely and focus on their studies. With their affordable mortgage, Carlos and Eva were able to support all their children through college and university. Today, their children have successful careers in nursing, real estate, construction trades, and tourism.

The most remarkable part? In 2023, Carlos and Eva paid off their Habitat mortgage completely after 17 years of ownership! Their home is now a gathering place for grandchildren, and they’ve built up financial security for their retirement years. One home created stability for multiple generations of a family. Carlos and Eva believed – much like over 80% of Canadians – that homeownership brings more safety and financial stability leading a better future for their children.

As we head into spring, will you contribute to this powerful legacy of change by making a donation to Habitat Greater Ottawa? We have an exciting goal of building one hundred more safe and affordable homes for families in the next 5 years! Every dollar you give helps build not just homes but futures filled with possibility.

The cost of building materials continues to rise, making your support more crucial than ever. When you donate to Habitat, you’re not making a one-time impact – you’re creating a permanent solution to housing insecurity for a family. Each Habitat home remains affordable for generation after generation through our unique mortgage model.

When we invest in affordable homeownership through Habitat, we’re investing in children’s futures. Research shows that children who grow up in stable housing have better health outcomes, perform better in school, and are more likely to pursue higher education. The security of knowing they’ll wake up in the same home, in the same school district, with space to study makes a profound difference.

I’m often asked why Habitat’s work matters so much when there are many organizations addressing housing needs. The answer lies in the long-term, sustainable change we create. Rental assistance programs provide temporary relief, but Habitat homeownership creates permanent solutions and wealth-building opportunities for families who have been systemically excluded from traditional homeownership.

When families like Carlos and Eva’s pay off their mortgages, they’ve built significant equity that can help secure their retirement or assist their children. This is how we break cycles of poverty that have persisted for generations – by creating pathways to financial stability through affordable homeownership. Since 2006, Habitat’s homeownership program has helped people earn $64.8 million more than they would have if they had stayed renters.

The financial and social impacts extend beyond individual families to strengthen entire communities. Habitat homeowners pay property taxes, shop at local businesses, volunteer at schools, and contribute to the vibrancy of their neighborhoods. Each home we build creates a ripple effect of positive change that benefits everyone in our community.

As we set our sites on building 100 homes for 100 families over the next 5 years, I invite you to be part of this transformative work by making a gift today. Your support will help families break free from unsafe, insecure housing and build the stable futures they’ve worked so hard to achieve. Together, we can create a local community where everyone has a decent place to call home.

With deep gratitude for your compassion and generosity,

Sara Cooper
CEO, Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa

P.S. Your gift today will create ripples of change for generations to come. Please send your most generous donation to help more families like Cynthia’s, Ceu and Amang’s, and Carlos and Eva’s build stable futures through affordable homeownership.