The urgency of having safe and affordable housing has been brought to the forefront this year by the global pandemic, which has devastated the lives of millions worldwide. Today is World Habitat Day, an opportunity for us to raise awareness about the housing issues that people face in our community, throughout the country, and around the world.

Habitat homeowners represent some of the vulnerable populations who are most impacted by COVID-19. The uncertainty and anxiety that every one of us has experienced this year are nothing new for vulnerable people.

Affordable housing contributes to the economic and social well-being of communities and without a safe place to live, families all over the world and right here in the Niagara region are less likely to be healthy, less likely to have a good education or any post-secondary training, and less likely to discover employment opportunities that can help lift them out of poverty.

In Niagara, we have a housing crisis. Statistics show some 24,000 Niagara households have housing that’s unaffordable, inadequate or unsuitable. Housing prices in Niagara have soared by 80% in five years, and Niagara has over 6,000 households on waitlists for affordable housing; and for some demographics the waitlist can be as long as a decade or more.

Please join us and take action this World Habitat Day:

• Make a tax deductible donation to Habitat for Humanity Niagara to transform families right here in your community – any gift will help. Make a secure online donation today.
• Visit one of our three Habitat for Humanity ReStores, located in Fonthill, St. Catharines and Grimsby to shop or donate. Your support helps us accomplish our mission and creates the opportunity for families to have a better life. Shop and donate to our ReStores.
• Sign up to volunteer with us. Our ReStores need volunteers to help prepare donated materials and stock the shelves. The time you give helps us to continue to make an impact on the lives of families who need affordable housing. See all available volunteer opportunities.

You can help make a difference and bring people together to help families build strength, stability and independence. With your help, we can improve lives and communities here in Niagara and around the world.

Let’s build stronger communities together!