Our Impact

building a foundation for healthier families and communities

Caught in punishing cycles of unpredictable rent increases, overcrowded conditions, or lack of access to affordable financing, many families and individuals in our community live with the constant burden of uncertainty, stress and fear. That’s why we partner with working, families and individuals, to help them build strength, stability and independence through affordable homeownership.

Habitat homeownership provides families and individuals with more than just equity – it gives them a renewed sense of pride and responsibility. The impact is immediate, and the effects are lasting. Research has shown that Habitat homeowners are happier, healthier and more financially stable, which can allow them to return to school, learn a new trade or upgrade their job skills. Meanwhile, their children are more confident and do better in school.

The benefits of a Habitat home reach far beyond the four walls of their home. Through reduced reliance on social housing and food banks, better education and employment outcomes, and improved health, every Habitat home built helps create $175,000 worth of benefits for the local community.

Every $1 invested in a Habitat for Humanity build produces $4 worth of social benefit.

22%

of children attained a bachelor degree or more vs. 8% control group.

37%

of families were in social housing before Habitat.

50%

of families are now physically active vs. 1% national average.

60%

reduction in food bank usage for Habitat families.

Habitat PKR:

20 Years of Empowering Families Through Shelter

Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region celebrates 20 years of empowering local families through affordable homeownership with a report outlining the accomplishments of the last 20 years, with insight as to what is next!

Read Habitat PKR's 20th Anniversary Report

Habitat PKR

Annual Impact Reports

Habitat Canada

Annual Impact Infographic

2018
Impact Infographic (PDF)

2019
Impact Infographic (PDF)

2020
Impact Infographic (PDF)

Meet Derrick & Maelyn – Leahy’s Lane Phase 2

Home is everything! A home is a place where you feel completely comfortable and safe! It’s a sense of security as well as a sense of pride. It provides hope!…

Meet Jennifer & Anisa – Phase 2

The struggle of finding a safe and stable place to live is a reality for many families, including Jennifer, a hard-working mother, and her daughter Anisa. They currently live in an apartment with a leaking bathroom ceiling, poor insulation leaving Anisa’s room colder than the rest of the place, and thin walls causing noise disturbance from next-door neighbors. On top of that, the apartment has no storage for Anisa’s medical equipment and supplies.

Habitat Homeowners share about what owning a Habitat home will mean. Image is of the couple, with Habitat PKR logo on top, and the quote "...purchasing a Habitat home will help us to feel safe and secure and give us pride in owning something. We will hopefully build some equity for later in life..."

Meet the homeowners – Leahy’s Lane

The couple was living in an apartment complex with many individuals who unfortunately didn’t share the same views and values, and who didn’t take pride in where they lived.  “Ever…

Meet Angela – Leahy’s Lane

For me, home is a safe place, a place to feel secure and happy,” says Angela. Angela had always dreamed of owning her own home, but with the high housing…

Meet Edward and Jessica – Leahy’s Lane

Edward, Jessica, and their son were living in a one-bedroom apartment for five years. In the beginning, the apartment was a quiet and peaceful place, but that changed, and it…

Habitat Canada

Impact Reports

Transforming Lives: The Social Return on Habitat's Work in Canada

The Boston Consulting Group conducted a study to provide a quantitative assessment of our social return on investment. Their assessment of our model of affordable homeownership found that every Habitat home generates $175,000 worth of benefits to society. In Canada, our affordable homeownership program has created a social return on investment of over $590 million since we started in 1985.

Building Families’ Futures and Opportunities Through Habitat Homeownership

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation conducted a Canada-wide survey of Habitat families. After purchasing a home through us, these families reported improved health, happiness, and overall well-being.