2024 Year In Review
A message from the CEO and Board Chair
What we do (our mission)
We bring our community together to help families build strength, stability and independence through safe and affordable homeownership.
Why we do it (our global vision)
A world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Mark Carl
Chief Executive Officer
Carl Ryan
Board Chair
As we reflect on the past year, one thing is abundantly clear: Habitat for Humanity Niagara’s mission has never been more on display than it was in 2024. The support we received from our corporate partners, individual donors, volunteers and staff was nothing short of extraordinary, and together, we made significant strides in providing affordable homeownership opportunities to families in Niagara.
This year, we saw the construction of seven homes, with three families moving in during 2024 and four more ready to begin their new chapters in early 2025. Among these builds, we had the privilege of seeing the community come together to build two homes for families on Taylor Street in Thorold. The Women Build, where over 100 women united to build a home in Port Colborne, was another powerful reminder of the incredible things we can accomplish when we work together toward a common goal.
One of the most remarkable milestones in our history was the record-breaking donation from Centennial Homes, who, along with their network of 30 subtrades and suppliers, committed to building four townhouses for Habitat Niagara at no cost. This type of contribution has never been seen before by any of the Habitat’s across Canada, and we are deeply grateful for their generosity. It’s a true testament to the power of community and collaboration, and their efforts align perfectly with their well-deserved recognition as Company of the Year by the Niagara Home Builders’ Association in 2023.
This partnership with Centennial Homes exemplifies what is possible when the private sector and nonprofit organizations unite for the common good. It ignited a wave of support that demonstrated how businesses, volunteers and community organizations can work together to build stronger, safer communities.
While we are incredibly proud of these accomplishments, we must also acknowledge the challenges that came our way. Our ReStores, which play a critical role in funding our operation and build programs, felt the effects of the economic slowdown and ended the year with a slight shortfall to target, but still were able to cover operational costs. However, we remain thankful for the unwavering support of our loyal customers and donors. Your purchases and donations continue to fund our operations and the construction of homes and we couldn’t be more grateful for your ongoing commitment to Habitat Niagara.
Thanks to your support, seven families now have a safe, affordable place to call home. The impact of affordable homeownership is immeasurable – it provides families with the strength, stability and independence they need to thrive. This stability promotes better health, greater community engagement and improved educational outcomes for children.
Looking ahead, we are excited to launch two major projects over the next five years. A nine-unit townhouse build in Welland will begin in 2025 and run for two years, followed by a 16-unit townhouse project in Niagara Falls. These ambitious projects would not be possible without your continued support, and we are incredibly grateful for the foundation you have helped us build together.
As we move forward, we ask for your continued partnership to make affordable homeownership a reality for even more families in Niagara. Your support has never been more crucial, and together, we can build a stronger, more vibrant Niagara.
Thank you for everything you have done, and for everything you continue to do. We truly couldn’t do this without you.
you help us transform lives
Since 1993, you helped build 75 homes and transform the lives of 82 families who needed a safe and affordable place to call home. Through your financial or in-kind support, volunteering or raising your voice about the need for affordable housing, you helped these families achieve the strength, stability and independence they needed to build better lives for themselves.
Families who apply and are accepted to become Habitat homeowners purchase their home and pay an affordable mortgage with monthly payments at approximately 30% of their gross household income. Once they move in, Habitat homeowners are responsible for maintaining their own home.
Three families became Habitat homeowners in 2024, they now have financial stability, hope and a better future thanks to your support.
When we found out we were accepted to become Habitat homeowners we were so happy. Having a safe and affordable home will provide a lot of groundwork and stability for our future. It will also provide a future home to leave for our daughter.
As a mom, I know my children will be happier now, knowing they have a safe home. This gives me joy as a mother.
This is an opportunity for our children to have a better space to grow up in. We are profoundly thankful.
your legacy of generosity
Together, we are not just building houses, we are building hope, stability, and brighter futures for our community.
In April, a groundbreaking ceremony was held in Thorold to celebrate Centennial Homes’ commitment to build four townhouses, with support of their subtrades and suppliers – Habitat Niagara’s largest donation to date.
The impact of this generous contribution to Habitat Niagara and the community, enables Habitat to build more affordable homes for local families. By constructing four townhomes, Centennial Homes and its team of subtrades will create a lasting positive impact on the lives of local families who will soon call these homes their own.
Qualified families who are selected for Habitat’s homeownership program partner with Habitat by completing 500 volunteer hours and paying an affordable mortgage. The mortgage payments are deposited into a ‘fund for humanity’ allowing Habitat Niagara the opportunity to build more homes and serve more families in the Niagara region.
The event also highlighted the incredible generosity of community partners like Kraun Electric, who donated both materials and labour to fully install the electrical systems, ensuring these families could start their new chapter with confidence and comfort.
More than 100 women from across Niagara came together to help build a house in Port Colborne for Habitat Niagara’s third Women Build. The lot was ‘sold’ to Habitat Niagara for $1 by the City of Port Colborne.
Local restaurants, community groups and churches fueled the build days with delicious lunches for every build participant and volunteer. The home was finished in December, and the family moved in one week before Christmas, making their holiday extra special.
your donations and purchases support our mission
*Equivalent to 14 full-sized school buses, each weighing ~ 12.5 tons!
You’re keeping new and used items out of landfills!
Five volunteers opened the first ReStore in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1991. The concept was a Canadian idea and has grown to over 1,000 stores worldwide. At first, people mostly donated building materials, but over time, donations expanded to include appliances, furniture, lighting, kitchens and more recently, home décor and brand-new clothing. Many of the items at the ReStore are new, donated by companies with extra stock, surplus or discontinued products. This helps them clear out extra inventory.
Thanks to you, our ReStores have kept *176 tons of waste out of landfills by sending them to reprocessing companies for responsible recycling. The money earned from recycling batteries, electronics and scrap metal fund Habitat for Humanity Niagara and help build homes in the community for those in need of a safe and affordable place to call home.
Family-owned since 1925, Tepperman’s opened its seventh Ontario location in St. Catharines in May 2024. Committed to sustainability, they partnered with our St. Catharines ReStore to donate used appliances collected through their delivery service.
Working appliances are resold at our stores, while non-functional ones are responsibly recycled—both benefiting Habitat Niagara’s homebuilding efforts.
Since opening, Tepperman’s has donated approximately 150 appliances! We’re grateful for their support and look forward to a lasting partnership.
every purchase creates the opportunity for a better life
Shopping at a Habitat ReStore is a socially conscious decision, as store sales are used to fund local Habitat for Humanity homebuilding projects.
As the total solar eclipse approached on April 8, 2024, we made the decision to temporarily close our operations to prioritize the safety of our staff and volunteers in case of a surge of visitors to the region. To make the most of this rare event, we launched a Total Eclipse of a Sale beforehand – and thanks to your support, we successfully offset the closure of our stores.
Last summer we celebrated you – our valued customer – during our 6th annual Customer Appreciation Days. We showed our gratitude with a 3-day sale and a free BBQ on Saturday, packed with family fun including face painting, games and more. Thank you for being part of our journey-we loved celebrating you!
together, we’re positively impacting our communities
Together, with your donations to our ReStores, we’ve been able to help other organizations increase their impact on the communities we serve.
Our Fonthill ReStore provided the Welland Central Firehall Station Education Initiative, with a full kitchen to help furnish the kitchen and cantina room.
“To get any donation is such a huge help to this project. We were so excited the ReStore was able to help us,” Building Chair Volunteer, Claire Masswohl.
The staff at West Lincoln Memorial Hospital (WLMH) informed us they needed a fridge for their nurses’ lounge but had limited to no funds available to purchase one.
Our Grimsby ReStore team was happy to help and delivered them one the following week.
“Thank you for your generous donation of a refrigerator for the staff lounge of the Operating Room at WLMH. Taking the time to deliver the refrigerator and remove the old one was an extra step that demonstrates the commitment to the community and highlights the compassion of your organization,” signed WLMH Operating Room Staff
Our St. Catharines ReStore had a surplus of new flooring they gave to the Westview Centre4Women to refresh their outdated community room.
“All of us at Westview Centre4Women would like to thank Habitat for Humanity ReStore for their support, this donation has helped them out tremendously,” said Jane LaVacca, executive director at Westview Centre4Women.
your ongoing engagement keeps our mission alive
Connecting with our community is essential to keeping Habitat Niagara and our ReStores strong. Thanks to local groups and businesses who invited us to join their events to raise support and grow our impact.
We loved sharing how your donations help fund our build projects, support our ReStores and talk with you about volunteer opportunities.
It was great meeting you and your families and discussing how we’re working to address housing affordability through Habitat’s homeownership program.
We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you at more community events throughout the year!
you make a difference in our community
183
volunteers
engaged
Habitat Niagara has a small team of paid staff, so we rely heavily on volunteers. They make up about 80% of our ReStore team. Without them, our ReStores could not operate and we couldn’t raise funds for our
build projects by accepting and selling donated items to the community.
In 2024, our ReStores had important projects to complete but lacked the resources to get them done since our staff and volunteers were busy with daily operations.
When companies asked about volunteer days for their employees, we saw an opportunity! We matched corporate teams with projects at our ReStores.
From organizing donations to merchandising and warehouse support, our corporate partners played a crucial role in keeping our ReStores well-organized. Corporate volunteering isn’t just about giving back—it strengthens teams, builds connections and makes a real impact in our community.
We are so grateful to all our volunteers who gave their time and energy to support Habitat Niagara and
its ReStores!
21,065
hours donated
by volunteers
Employees from Leon’s Niagara-on-the-Lake location, volunteered for five shifts at our Fonthill ReStore, helping prepare our warehouse for the busy holiday season. Their efforts ensured our customers could find festive treasures while supporting Habitat’s mission.
Over two days, Walkers employees eagerly helped improve our Grimsby and St. Catharines ReStores.
They repaired bathrooms, installed flooring, painted walls, put up drywall, moved shelves and organized products in the warehouse.
3,084
hours invested
by future
homeowners
As part of Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program, qualified homebuyers must complete 500 volunteer hours. Not only are these hours a commitment to the partnership with Habitat, but they are also a mandatory Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requirement which includes building a Habitat home, working at a ReStore and taking classes on home maintenance, money management and other topics.
your giving creates lasting change
Thanks to generous supporters like you, Habitat Niagara is building more homes and strengthening our community. Your fundraising efforts – whether big or small – make a lasting impact on families in need of a safe and affordable place to call home.
Stephen Oliver of Coldwell Banker Realty went all in for Habitat, hosting a poker game and golf tournament that raised over $6,000.
Your generosity brings hope, stability and the promise of home to families who need it most. Thank you for making a difference!
together, we’re building tomorrow
This past year has been one of incredible momentum, and we’re just getting started! We’re making affordable homeownership opportunities a reality for more families in Niagara, but we need your support to bring these projects to life.
2025 – 2026: Our largest Welland build yet – nine townhouses on Plymouth Rd. and First St. Phase 1 includes building six-townhouses, we must secure $2 million to make it happen. An additional three units will be built in phase 2.
5-year goal: A transformational 16-unit townhouse project on Adams Ave. and Hawkins St., Niagara Falls. We are actively raising $5 million in funding to make this vision a reality
we can’t do it without you, get involved today!
Every gift – big or small – lays the foundation for a brighter future.
Donate today and ensure families in Niagara have a safe and affordable place to call home.
Give your time and help build stronger communities by volunteering with us.
Habitat Build Days offer unique hands-on team-building experience that
strengthens connections, boosts engagement and creates lasting community impact.