Habitat for Humanity and Dell Tech

Posted February 25, 2019

By: Kirsten Alcock, Manager, Product Safety Group, email

Dell Tech Laboratories had the privilege of participating in our first Habitat for Humanity Canada build this month. It was an exciting day for all involved. We learned all about the family who purchased the home, met volunteers from other organizations, and learned new skills from the expert construction staff on site which we can use in our own homes going forward.

Habitat for Humanity Canada works to bring communities together to help local families “build strength, stability and independence through affordable homeownership”. With the help of volunteers, the homes are built in safe communities within the city. These homes include many single-family units as well as multi-unit houses.

How did it begin? The idea for Habitat for Humanity came from a community farm outside of Americus, Georgia and was founded by farmer and biblical scholar Clarence Jordan. Jordan and Habitat’s eventual founders, Millard and Linda Fuller developed the concept of “partnership housing.” This involved the need for adequate shelter working side-by-side with community volunteers to build safe, affordable houses but with no actual profit. The house payments would be combined with a no-interest loan. A revolving fund would then be used to help build more homes for more families in need. The low-income working families who apply for a home built by Habitat for Humanity pay an interest-free mortgage which is geared to their current income. In addition to this, the families themselves must volunteer over 500 hours with Habitat.

Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity has grown beyond the US. Habitat for Humanity International has since grown to become a global non-profit working in more than 70 countries, including here in Canada. The movement to Canada happened in 1985 and the first habitat home was built in Manitoba. Habitat Canada is a leading national non-profit, with 56 local habitats working in every province and territory. With the help of these local Habitats, volunteers, and Habitat homeowners, Habitat Canada has provided a solid foundation for thousands of families to lead better, healthier lives in Canada and around the world.

If you are looking for a great team-building experience, we would highly recommend this. For more information on team builds, please visit your local Habitat for Humanity.

Contact:
Dell Tech
Kirsten Alcock, B.Sc. (Hons)
Manager, Product Safety Group
519-858-5074
kirsten@delltech.com