Three Norwood families will soon have the chance to become homeowners with help from Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region (Habitat PKR).
Habitat PKR is currently seeking families living or working in Norwood to become homeowners in partnership with the charity’s affordable homeownership program, which works with families who do not qualify for traditional mortgages and face other financial barriers to purchasing their own home.
The new Norwood development will offer three families with a household income of between $59,000 and $95,000 the opportunity to purchase a single-family home with no down payment and a geared-to-income mortgage.
Breaking down barriers to affordable homeownership
Holly McKinnon, communications and marketing manager for Habitat PKR, told kawarthaNOW that, for many people, the most significant barrier to homeownership is saving for a down payment and being approved by a traditional mortgage provider or bank.
“Habitat is the way in and the stepping stone to homeownership,” said McKinnon.
Families purchasing Habitat homes work in partnership with the charity to establish a mortgage that is geared to income and typically has a low-interest rate. According to its website, Habitat PKR currently identifies the lower threshold of eligibility as a household income of $60,000.
Potential homeowners who receive social assistance such as Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program are eligible to apply if done in partnership with another person. Habitat requires homeowners to be able to maintain routine mortgage and utility payments to retain eligibility.
The long-term goal for Habitat is to provide an entry point to the stability provided by property ownership. A 2025 study by Habitat Canada demonstrated that people who became Habitat homeowners saw lifestyle improvements in many areas such as health, education, and employment.
Partnership model requires sweat equity
McKinnon said that homeownership through Habitat is based on values of partnership and collaboration. This is demonstrated through the requirement to participate in 500 hours of volunteering with the charity as part of the purchasing and ownership process.
Regarding the Norwood development, McKinnon highlighted the opportunity for families to achieve their volunteer requirements through direct work on the build and development of their home.
Habitat operates this participatory model as they believe communities are made stronger when families are involved in the process of building and establishing housing.
“They helped build their community,” said McKinnon.
Habitat also encourages homeowner and community engagement through ongoing volunteer opportunities at Habitat ReStores and directly on building projects. Through the operation of ReStore locations in Peterborough and Lindsay, Habitat PKR ensures that all donations go directly towards building new homes.
McKinnon said Habitat PKR is excited to welcome back corporate build days and team building projects for the Norwood development.
Multi-residential developments as well as single-family homes
The Norwood development represents a return to single-family builds for Habitat PKR, although the organization is also continuing with multi-residential developments.
In October 2024, Habitat PKR celebrated the opening of the second phase of condominium developments on Leahy’s Lane, which established a total of 53 new affordable units in the City of Peterborough. Leahy’s Lane represented a new direction for Habitat PKR and affiliate organizations across Canada by choosing to focus on high-volume housing that offered smaller units.
McKinnon spoke about the success Habitat PKR has seen at Leahy’s Lane in supporting families in transitioning into the traditional housing market. Through its buy-back program, Habitat PKR retains units to ensure they remain affordable and accessible to Habitat partner families.
In light of recent and upcoming condominium developments, McKinnon told kawarthaNOW that Habitat PKR is excited to build three larger dwellings in Norwood.
“This is an opportunity for a bigger family to move in,” she said.
Habitat PKR will continue to build high-volume residential properties, especially in urban centres, in recognition of the significant shortage of affordable homeownership opportunities across the region.
Affordable ownership key to easing housing pressures
McKinnon spoke about the importance of maintaining affordable homeownership options in addition to affordable rental units. In particular, she noted the focus from municipal and other governmental bodies on rental housing, which is leading to a significant gap between rental and ownership opportunities.
“Affordable housing includes homeownership,” said McKinnon.
Habitat PKR has identified that families with a long-term history of renting struggle to bridge the gap between renting and ownership, in part due to the inability to build equity, improve one’s credit score, or save additional funds.
McKinnon said that when people cannot transition from renting and owning, it leads to a backlog in the housing continuum further exacerbating shortages.
“When we don’t have affordable homeownership options, people cannot move out of rental properties,” she said.
To enable them to achieve their mission of providing affordable housing across Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, and Haliburton, Habitat PKR works with local partners and businesses to provide financial and professional support.
McKinnon thanked trade partners including Lifestyle Home Products, Plumbing by Doug, Alf Curtis Home Improvements, McLeod’s Eco Water, DM Wills and Floortrends for their support on the Norwood build and other Habitat PKR projects.
“Habitat is good for business,” said McKinnon of the benefits brought to the local economy through Habitat developments.
Further to direct development related partnerships, businesses benefit from new homeowners having increased financial and personal stability. To this end, McKinnon said that when families feel confident in their housing they are able to direct more time and resources to supporting the community and local economy.
According to Habitat Canada’s report, “Habitat households inject an additional $35 million into Canada’s economy” as a result of homeownership each year.
“There’s nothing about a Habitat home that doesn’t have a positive impact on the community,” said McKinnon.
Builds also happening in Haliburton and Peterborough
Habitat PKR continues to expand its work and impact through new developments, including a 35-unit condominium project in Haliburton in partnership with Places for People and a 41-unit condominium building at 78 and 82 Lansdowne Street West in Peterborough.
The Lansdowne development, named Keystone Court, will consist of a five-storey building including 25 one-bedroom units, six two-bedroom units, and 10 studio condos. McKinnon identified Keystone Court as a priority project for Habitat PKR following the completion of the Norwood homes.
Looking ahead, McKinnon told kawarthaNOW that Habitat PKR is actively looking for building opportunities in Lindsay and across the City of Kawartha Lakes.
She is encouraging local build partners and donors to connect with Habitat PKR to support this expansion. Specifically, she noted that most of the Habitat PKR developments are based on land that has been gifted to the charity by governmental, corporate, and private donors.
Habitat PKR will be hosting a virtual information session on affordable homeownership from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6. To register, visit eventbrite.com/e/1986529646649.
McKinnon encourages anyone interested in learning about the process of becoming a homeowner through Habitat for Humanity to attend, as there are a host of upcoming ownership opportunities through new developments and the buy-back program.
