Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region (Habitat PKR) is breaking ground in Fraserville on a unique, 3D-printed affordable home for a family of five.
Community members, local officials, and supporters of Habitat PKR gathered on Wednesday (May 7) to kick-off the journey towards the first-of-its-kind type of home in the Township of Otonabee South-Monaghan.
A local couple, Kayla and James, and their three children, are looking forward to the move into the new, affordable place of their own.
“In today’s world, owning a home feels more and more out of reach for families like ours,” said Kayla in a media release. “But thanks to Habitat PKR — and the community of Fraserville — we’ve been given the opportunity to build a better future for ourselves and our children, in what will be our forever home.”
Habitat PKR prides itself on giving a “hand-up” and not a “hand-out,” by offering families no down payment and monthly payments that are geared to their income, making homeownership accessible to local families.
This particular project is possible as a result of the support from the former Bailieboro-Springville United Church community, donated land from Don and Pat Wood, and a partnership with local construction technology company Cormor Inc.
Habitat PKR has partnered with Cormor Inc. to build the home using large-scale 3D concrete printing technology — one of the first Habitat for Humanity homes in Canada to use this method. This technology reduces construction time, minimizes waste, and keeps costs lower, which is “a powerful tool in the face of today’s housing crisis,” the release noted.
“This 3D-printed home is a model of what’s possible when we think differently, work together, and lead with heart,” said Habitat PKR board chair Hope Lee.
“This project has faced the same challenges many affordable housing builds do — zoning hurdles, red-tape challenges, and rising construction costs — but the vision has never wavered: that everyone deserves a safe, decent place to call home.”
The groundbreaking also highlighted the legacy gift of $100,000 from the Bailieboro-Springville United Church, which was made possible when the congregation restructured in 2022. That donation — along with the land gifted by the Woods — “exemplifies how community generosity can create lasting impact,” Habitat PKR noted.
Congregation member Robin Maughan said, “This build is about creating a lasting legacy and giving our congregation the chance to extend our faith beyond our place of worship and into the local community.”
“By supporting the construction of this Habitat home, we are putting our commitment to helping others into action and ensuring more families have an affordable place to call home,” Maughan added. “We also hope it inspires others to get involved and serve our community in such a hands-on, meaningful way.”
The 1,674 square foot four-bedroom single-family home is slated for completion by the end of the year.
Cormor Inc. CEO and co-founder Dwight Corcoran spoke about the importance of showcasing this technology locally.
“We are thrilled to partner with Habitat PKR on this proof-of-concept build in our own backyard,” Corcoran said. “This milestone demonstrates the transformative power of additive construction in building sustainable, affordable homes across Ontario and beyond.”
Public officials in attendance included Peterborough County Warden Bonnie Clark and Otonabee South-Monaghan Township mayor Joe Taylor, who both acknowledged the importance of innovative solutions to address the growing need for more affordable housing in Ontario.
Additive construction, otherwise known as 3D construction printing, “represents a significant advancement in construction technology, with the potential to change the industry by increasing efficiency, reducing waste, and enhancing design flexibility” according to the Cormor Inc. website.
When it comes to planning and design, a 3D model of the structure is created using computer-aided design software. The model is then broken down into instructions that the robotic arm can follow to lay each layer of material.
The mobile robotic arm is mounted on hydraulic tracks, similar to a mini excavator, which allows it to move around the construction site. It is equipped with precise control systems that allow it to place materials with high accuracy, following the digital blueprint.
The arm extrudes or deposits construction materials layer by layer. The material hardens after each layer, gradually building up the structure. This specialized material sets extremely quickly.
The robotic arm operates autonomously or with minimal human oversight. It continuously adjusts its movements and material deposition based on real-time feedback from the sensors, ensuring that each layer is placed correctly and maintaining structural integrity.
The arm’s mobile nature allows for flexibility in construction, with the ability to work on various terrains or move between different parts of a construction site.
Habitat PKR is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership. Since 2002, the organization has helped 96 local families secure affordable homeownership.
To help support the Fraserville build and other upcoming projects, Habitat PKR is holding “HomeGrown: A Habitat Vineyard Party Fundraiser” on Saturday, June 7 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Rolling Grape Vineyards at 260 County Rd. 2 in Bailieboro. At the event, which will be emceed by Neil Morton of Cormor Inc., guests will enjoy a gourmet meal paired with Rolling Grape’s award-winning wines, take in live entertainment, and hear stories of transformation.
They will also learn about Habitat PKR’s upcoming build projects, including the Fraserville project, a partnership with the non-profit organization Our Daughters’ Home to build a duplex in in Peterborough’s East City for seven adult women with special needs, and a 41-unit condominium in Peterborough. Altogether, these projects will create 49 new affordable housing units in the region.
Individual tickets are $135 per person, and $750 for a table of six. For more information and tickets, visit habitatpkr.ca/community/events/homegrown-a-vineyard-party-fundraiser/.
