Members of Habitat for Humanity Red Deer turned sod on Monday for a new home to be built in Grandview.
The home at 3916 44th Ave. will be the 24th build and the first triplex for the local chapter of the international organization, which arrived in Canada during the mid-1980s.
Sandy Gervais, director of development for the Red Deer group, said three families have been selected for the units, which should be ready for them to move in before Christmas.
Habitat for Humanity builds homes for families who have never owned a home and could not afford to build or buy one on their own. Families earn their down payments by working alongside the volunteers who will build their homes.
Mayor Morris Flewwelling, who was among the dignitaries gathered to open the new project, said Habitat for Humanity offers a hand up rather than a handout.
“We support the concept of helping families break that barrier of adversity with just a little help from their friends, neighbours and community,” Flewwelling said in a statement released prior to the 4 p.m. event.
Habitat Canada president and CEO Kevin Marshman said the national organization has ramped up its goals, planning to provide homes for 1,800 families from 2012 through 2016.
Habitat Canada’s 69 affiliates, including Red Deer, have served 2,200 families since building the first home in 1985 in Winkler, Man.