Celebrating Another Year with Habitat for Humanity

We’re very happy we teamed up with Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta a year ago to support the Affordable Housing Refurbishment Program. Why? Because right now, there are a lot of families enjoying structurally sound houses, making magical memories, and experiencing the joy and pride that comes with first-time home ownership.

It’s the reason we’re sticking to our partnership and shouting from the rooftops that we’re in for another year, committing $20,000 in funds and in-kind services. We’re also going to power up more homes than before!

What else do we have up our air ducts for this year?

• On top of ATCOenergy’s six months of free energy to families who buy refurbished homes, we’ll be giving that same deal to the 11 new homeowners of the Cornerstone project who are moving into their new homes this summer.
• Blue Flame Kitchen is generously providing up to 10 welcome meals to new homeowners, prepared by our expert chefs.

“We’re thrilled to continue to partner with Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta,” said Marshall Wilmot, President Rümi and Chief Digital Officer for ATCO. “Our organization wants to help people love the places they live and supporting families in their path to homeownership is one way we can help build stronger communities for the future.”

Our impact in the last year

We’re happy to report that we accomplished a lot in support of Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta’s goal to build strength, stability and independence through affordable home ownership. A huge round of applause to everyone who made it happen.

• We gave $15,000 in free energy to families who bought refurbished homes.
• Delivered $11,275 in home improvement services.
• Raised more than $10,000 through community events such as our first-ever Winter Wonderfest, a casino night and our Neighbour Day event.
• In June of this year, Rümi was a Foreman Sponsor at Habitat for Humanity’s first-ever Industry Build. This event brought together more than 100 participants from energy companies across Southern Alberta to build homes for the Cornerstone project.
• As the Lunch Sponsor for the Industry Build, Blue Flame Kitchen served up food to more than 100 hungry volunteers.

Why we do it

Home refurbishments are integral to Habitat for Humanity’s affordable home ownership program. We became involved in this cause because it naturally fits with our values and what we do best - making people love their homes. When a house goes back up for sale, we go in and do everything from duct cleaning to carpet cleaning or changing the locks to help make it new again for the next homeowner.

Our Rümineers are on board too

Our Rümineers live our value of caring every day, and they’re always looking for ways to give back to our community. This past year, we had 22 employees help build two homes and contribute 154 volunteer hours.

Twelve Rümineers will participate in the fall build for the Livingstone project, which includes 24 townhomes allocated to Habitat homeowners. These units will be built to high-efficiency standards, above current building codes, which means lower bills for Habitat families.

“One of the things we believe at Rümi is that we’re better together,” says Van C. “I’m grateful to be part of the house builds and community events that ultimately make people happy and gives them more independence. It’s very eye-opening and uplifting.”

Why home ownership is important

Plain and simple, everyone deserves a safe place to live. Stability starts at home. For many years, research has shown that housing stability is a key determinant of health and human potential. This is particularly important for children’s physical, social and mental development and well-being.

In 2022, Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta helped over 35 families find new homes and celebrated that more than 1,000 children have had the opportunity to grow up in a house built by Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta. They expect 10 families to buy refurbished homes in 2023.

We used the word ‘happy’ a lot in this story. I guess giving back to our community makes us, well, happy.

The not-so-happy facts about housing in Canada but the reason we do this

• There continues to be an affordable housing crisis in Canada and in Alberta. One in five Canadians spends more than half their income on housing costs alone.
• In Alberta, 9.9% of households are in core housing need. This means housing doesn’t meet one or more of the adequacy, suitability or affordability standards and they would have to spend 30% or more of their before-tax income to access local housing that meets all three standards.
• In Calgary, more than 4,000 people are on the waitlist for affordable housing.

And a few more facts about building stronger communities

• Many Habitat families move from subsidized rent into home ownership and become taxpayers, rather than using social services that are funded by tax-payer dollars.
• There is a 60% reduction in food bank usage by Habitat partner families.
• 70% of partner families donate time and money to charities.