Edmonton women create building blocks for Habitat for Humanity development

EDMONTON – Habitat for Humanity Edmonton’s Prefabrication Shop is a sea of pink this week.

Under the pink hard hats are dozens of women, building walls, floors and stairs which will go into Habitat’s newest development, Neufeld Landing.

This week is Women Build Week. Women raise money, spend a day learning the skills to build a home and they put those skills to the test.

“It’s easy to give money to something like this,” said Connie Campbell. “Time isn’t as easy.”

Campbell and her husband are big supporters of Habitat for Humanity. Through the Real Estate Investment Network, they’ve raised more than $1 million for the organization. Campbell flew in from Vancouver to be a part of the project.

“For every dollar that you invest in Habitat for Humanity, it continues in perpetuity to build houses.”

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Habitat for Humanity Edmonton doesn’t give away houses. Those who live in the developments must put in at least 500 hours of sweat equity, and they pay a mortgage, which is dependent on how much they make.

If they decide to sell the home and purchase something on their own, the property goes back to Habitat for Humanity, and they get the money out that they invested.

“We’re creating an opportunity for hardworking families to build a place of their own, to have a stable environment for their family,” said Carolyn Graham, the past chair of Habitat for Humanity Edmonton.

READ MORE: Habitat for Humanity unveils its largest build in Canadian history

Carrie Levins and her five-year-old daughter received the keys to their new Habitat home in October. After two years of relying on the help of family and friends, they finally had a place to call home.

“I can’t express what a blessing habitat has been for us,” Levins told Global News. “(My daughter) just keeps making sure we aren’t going to move again.”

Levins is one of 64 families who will be living in Neufeld Landing by summer 2016.

By the time everyone is moved in, it will be the largest development in Habitat for Humanity’s Canadian history.

“It’s a chance, to build homes and build hope,” said Graham.