Habitat for Humanity Canada is a 3-star charity with Fair Demonstrated Impact. It has an A Results Reporting grade, which is above average. For every dollar donated to the charity, 71 cents are available to go to the cause, which is within Ci's reasonable range. 

Founded in 1986, Habitat for Humanity Canada (Habitat Canada or HFHC) helps low-income families access affordable housing across Canada. It is a member of Habitat for Humanity International and shares its global vision statement: a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Habitat Canada collects fees from its 45 affiliates and grants money to its affiliates to build homes in their local areas.

In 2024, Habitat Canada ran a survey of 1,510 Canadians. The charity states that 59% of Canadians sacrifice basic needs, such as food, clothing, or education, to afford rent or mortgage payments. The charity reports Canada will need an additional 3.5 million homes by 2030 to return to 2004 housing affordability levels. HFHC reports that the typical household spends almost 50% of household income on housing, above Canada’s Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s recommended 30%.

In 2024, Habitat for Humanity Canada spent $18.9m on its programs and grants. Habitat Canada has two core programs: Homeownership and Indigenous Partnerships.

Homeownership represented 89% ($16.7m) of program costs in 2024. Habitat for Humanity Canada grants money to its affiliates to build and renovate affordable homes. People who live in the homes pay a mortgage no more than 30% of the family’s gross household income. Homeowners are also required to volunteer 500 hours with Habitat Canada. To qualify for homeownership, applicants must be: in need of better housing, willing to partner with Habitat, and able to make affordable mortgage payments. In 2024, 8,500 people were a part of Habitat Canada’s homeownership program. 847 people from 222 families became new homeowners in 2024, of which, 77% moved into newly-built homes and 23% moved into rehabilitated or existing habitat homes. HFHC reports it completed over 200 repairs on houses and built 111 energy-efficient homes.

Indigenous Partnerships represented 7% ($1.3m) of program costs in 2024. According to Statistics Canada, 16% of Indigenous people live in a dwelling that need major repairs. Habitat Canada launched the Indigenous Housing Partnership in 2007. Habitat Canada’s Partnership program focuses on housing rehabilitation, water and sanitation infrastructure, emergency shelter through Tiny Homes, Indigenous skills training, capacity building with First Nation communities, and support for local Habitats to house Indigenous families. In 2024, 9% of families in Habitat Canada’s Homeownership program identify as Indigenous. In 2024, Habitat Canada's five-unit townhouse in partnership with Habitat Hamilton and Six Nations of the Grand River entered its second phase of building. 

The remaining 4% ($837k) of program costs was spent on Habitat Canada’s International Development program. In 2024, Habitat International provided homes for over three million people. The charity reports the international charity helped 5.3 million people improved their housing conditions in 2024.

Habitat for Humanity Canada’s audited financial statements use activity-based costing, which is a best practice.

Habitat for Humanity Canada received $9.3m in Canadian donations and $11.8m in donated goods in kind in 2024. The charity also received $9.1m in government funding and $6.2m in fees from its affiliates. Habitat Canada spent $18.9m on its programs, which is 71% of revenue (excluding donated goods). HFHC recorded a surplus of $1.7m in 2024, which is 7% of revenue (excluding donated goods). The charity also spent $760k on capital expenses.

Habitat Canada spent $2.8m on fundraising, which is 26% of donations, and $1.5m on administration, which is 4% of revenue. Total overhead spending is 29%. For every dollar donated to Habitat Canada, 71 cents are available to go to the cause, which is within Ci’s reasonable range.

Habitat Canada has $6.8m in net reserve funds (cash, investments, and loans receivable, less interest-bearing debt). These reserves can cover four months of its annual program costs. This is within Ci’s reasonable range.

This charity report has been sent to Habitat Canada for review.

Updated on June 16, 2025 by Liam Chapleau.