Habitat for Humanity Red Deer is exploring an affordable housing build project in Ponoka. 

Habitat for Humanity was made aware that the town had land they were willing to donate to the Affordable Homeownership Program.   

Since then, they have undertaken initial planning steps to determine cost and family demand, including hosting Family Information Sessions, to determine community needs.  

“We haven't firmly committed to doing a build. We're in the early stages of determining what the interest is and what the need is for families in Ponoka and area that might be eligible for the program,” said Karen Vavrek, Habitat for Humanity Red Deer CEO. “That's the reason for us doing the family information sessions, is to get some indicators of what the demand would be for our type of housing.”  

Vavrek explained that any time a municipality offers to donate land for the Habitat Red Deer Affordable Homeownership Program it’s important they explore the feasibility of the project before committing to getting shovels in the ground.   

To be eligible for the program, families must be in a core housing need, demonstrate that their current housing situation is either unsafe, overcrowded, have potential health concerns, or fall into the low-income range.   

“Before we proceed with any build project, we want to make sure there is a demand and a need that we're meeting for families who might be eligible for the program,” Vavrek said.   

Family Information Session attendees can expect to learn more about the program and eligibility requirements. Anyone who applies for the program must attend an information session.   

Habitat for Humanity is hosting three Family Information Sessions, including online sessions on June 3 and 13, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Or an in-person session on June 6, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., at the Ponoka Jubilee Library.  

The sessions are open to families interested in Ponoka-specific homeownership.  

Anyone interested is asked to register for the information session by contacting the Habitat for Humanity Family Services Manager, Aspen Boone-Windrim at Aspen.BooneWindrim@HabitatRedDeer.ca or 403-309-6080 ext.104.