A roof, roots, a future
Fundraising campaign, November 3 to 30, 2025
"My experience with Habitat changed my life. I now own a home, a garden and a property I can pass on to my children."
— Nancy, Habitat homeowner
Nancy’s story
A few years ago, Nancy was raising her three children on her own in a small, poorly heated apartment. Her teenagers shared a tiny bedroom. Finding a bigger place? Landlords wouldn’t rent to a mother of three.
"Every time I tried to get a bigger apartment, landlords just weren’t interested."
Buying a home seemed impossible without a down payment.
Then Nancy discovered Habitat for Humanity Quebec, a program that removes the down payment barrier and makes homeownership affordable in exchange for 500 hours of volunteer work.
Today, Nancy owns her home. Her children each have their own bedroom. The family has found stability. Nancy has even improved her employment situation.
"Watching my mother do what she did to give us a home taught me the value of hard work and determination."
— Catherine, Nancy’s daughter
An impact that spans generations
A 2025 study by Deloitte of more than 600 Habitat families reveals a measurable transformation.
When a family achieves homeownership with Habitat, it gains far more than a roof.
- It gains the stability to plan for the future.
- It gains the means to pursue further training and improve its job prospects.
- It gains the pride of building something for future generations.
The impact can be measured. And it lasts.
The data speaks for itself: 50% of children growing up in Habitat housing do better in school.
Why? Because they have a quiet place to study. Because they no longer face constant moves. Because their parents, freed from the stress of unstable housing, can invest in their education.
41% of adults continue their education after becoming Habitat homeowners. They go back to school, complete apprenticeship programs and earn credentials they never thought possible.
That education leads to better jobs. 44% of adults improve their employment situation: promotions, new positions, more stable careers.
The result? Habitat homeowners’ incomes grow, on average, three times faster than those of renters in a similar situation. That’s $7,525 more per year (adjusted for inflation).
Before having children, Vincent and his partner moved often. When their son Philémon was born, the four of them were getting cramped in their two-bedroom apartment.
They dreaded their next search: Would the place be old, poorly insulated? Close to a school, in a safe neighbourhood?
When they discovered Habitat for Humanity, they started dreaming, hoping with all their hearts to be selected.
Today, their home lets them settle in comfortably. The children can play outside, make friends and walk to school.
And that stability gave Vincent the chance to fulfill a childhood dream: going back to school.
He is finishing a university degree that will lead to a job he’ll love and give his family a better quality of life.
41% of Habitat adults continue their education after becoming homeowners. The stability of a home makes it possible to plan, to look ahead, to dream.
A legacy for future generations
80% of Habitat families say that without our program, they never could have become homeowners.
By removing the down payment barrier, Habitat gives low- and moderate-income families the chance to build equity. To create wealth. To leave something to their children.
That is generational impact.
A home today. Opportunities for decades.