Habitat for Humanity Edmonton is a 3-star charity with Fair Demonstrated Impact. It has an A Results Reporting grade, which is above average. For every dollar donated, 34 cents are available to go to the cause, which is outside Ci's reasonable range. 

Founded in 1991, Habitat for Humanity Edmonton (HFHE) provides affordable housing to low-income families living in Edmonton and Northern Alberta. It is one of Habitat for Humanity Canada’s 45 affiliates. HFHE runs an affordable home ownership program to help local families break barriers to a healthier and more financially stable life. Habitat for Humanity Edmonton also runs a home buy-back program. When a family graduates from Habitat Homeownership, they sell their home back to HFHE to receive their accumulated equity. That home is then available to serve another family who needs access to affordable home ownership. In 2024, Habitat for Humanity Edmonton spent $6.2m on its programs.

Habitat for Humanity Edmonton's affordable homeownership program is for families with annual gross household income between $45,000 and $75,000. Partner families buy homes with no down payment. Mortgage payments are based on 50% of the appraised value of the house. The first mortgage, administered by Servus Credit Union, has interest, while the second mortgage, paid to Habitat Edmonton, is interest-free for 20 years. Families must put in 500 ‘sweat equity’ hours, spent either building a home or working in a ReStore.

In 2024, Habitat for Humanity Edmonton housed 36 families, including 59 adults and 57 children. 30 families moved into buy-back homes and six moved into new builds. In 2024, the charity completed six new builds: four in Cold Lake and two in Edmonton. An additional seven homes were under construction: four in St. Albert and three in Sherwood Park. HFHE reports that since founding, 907 families (3,469 people) have benefitted from Habitat Edmonton’s Homeownership program.

Habitat for Humanity Edmonton’s audited financial statements do not disclose the total amount spent on building homes. Charity Intelligence received the amount spent on building, repurchasing, and renovating homes from Habitat for Humanity Edmonton for this review. This number has not been audited.

Habitat for Humanity Edmonton received $908k in donations and $1.2m in government funding. The charity also received $2.4m in mortgage payments from homeowners. Habitat Edmonton spent $6.2m on its programs, which is 58% of revenue and recorded a surplus of $456k after capital expenses.

Habitat Edmonton spent $397k on fundraising, which is 44% of donations, and $2.3m on administration, which is 23% of revenue (excluding investment income). Total overhead spending is 66%. For every dollar donated, 34 cents are available to go to the cause, which is outside Ci’s reasonable range.

Habitat Edmonton has ($11.1m) in net reserve funds, as its $14.5m in interest-bearing debt outweighs its $3.4m in cash and investments. This results in a negative program cost coverage ratio and does not negatively affect its star rating.

This report is an update that has been sent to Habitat Edmonton for review. Comments and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on June 26, 2025 by Liam Chapleau.