Habitat for Huanity National Capital Region
2370 Walkley Road, Unit 170
Ottawa, ON K1G4N9
Phone: (613) 749-9950
Fax: (613) 749-8991
Web: http://www.cla-ace.ca  

About Us:

The story of Habitat for Humanity begins in 1976 in Americus, Georgia, when Millard and Linda Fuller became concerned about the people in their area living in 'poverty housing'. Internationally, Habitat for Humanity now operates in 100 countries, has built over 200,000 houses, and shelters 1 million children and adults around the globe. A new Habitat home is built every 24 minutes.

Habitat for Humanity Canada is now working right across Canada. To date, volunteers and Habitat families have built over 1000 houses across the country.

Habitat for Humanity-National Capital Region (NCR) became an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity Canada in 1993. As one of over 70 affiliates in Canada, Habitat-NCR is responsible for raising its own funds, organizing volunteers and building homes for families living in need in the National Capital Region. The first Habitat-NCR home was built in 1994. To date, Summer 2006, we just completed our 27th, 28th, and 29th homes!

Habitat for Humanity-NCR is a non-government, non-profit organization which builds simple, decent, affordable houses with working, low-income families, and volunteers from a broad spectrum of the community. Potential Habitat for Humanity families are low-income families living in inadequate housing which necessitates a move and are willing to put in 500 hours of "Sweat equity". Interest charges are a prime reason that house ownership is out of reach for many inadequately sheltered people. The Habitat approach requires that no interest is charged to people in need. Homeowners make monthly payments on interest-free mortgages, which is approximately 25% of the family income and includes taxes and insurance.

Habitat does not receive direct government funding, although indirect support is received in some communities through land donations, the reduction of municipal service costs or government grants. Habitat for Humanity does not compete with other builders as Habitat services a clientele who could never afford to buy a house or qualify for a conventional mortgage.

Habitat for Humanity is funded through donations from volunteers, individuals, businesses, service clubs, foundations, manufacturers and distributors. Houses are built by volunteers, skilled trades people and journeymen who are caring individuals, enthusiastic about giving a family in need of a "hand up not a hand out". Manufacturers and distributors in the construction industry donate their products to help build houses and reduce our costs.

The real miracle of Habitat is that it not only changes the lives of the families receiving the house, but it provides a tremendous sense of purpose and fulfillment for many volunteers and supporters.