
From the Desk of Hazzem Koudsi, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Prince Edward-Hastings.
We at Habitat for Humanity Prince Edward Hastings (Habitat PEH) believe that everyone deserves a safe and decent place to call home. We bring communities together to help families build strength, stability, and self-reliance. Renovations play a crucial role in housing stability, helping people stay in their homes and preventing them from slipping into homelessness. For many homeowners and renters, aging or deteriorating housing conditions can make it difficult to maintain safe and livable spaces. Without necessary repairs or modifications, individuals may be forced to leave their homes due to safety hazards, high maintenance costs, or even eviction. By investing in renovations, we can address these risks and create long-term housing security for vulnerable populations.
Preventing Unsafe Living Conditions
One of the biggest reasons people are displaced from their homes is the deterioration of their living conditions. Over time, homes experience wear and tear—roofs leak, plumbing breaks, furnaces die or develop gas leaks, electrical systems become outdated, and mold or pests can invade. If these issues go unaddressed, a home can become uninhabitable, forcing residents to seek alternative housing. However, many individuals, particularly those on fixed incomes, may not have the financial means to pay for essential repairs. Programs that offer home renovation assistance, whether through government greening energy efficiency grants, nonprofit initiatives (such as Habitat PEH’s critical repairs program), or low-interest loans, can help people stay in their homes safely. By fixing critical structural or health-related issues, renovations reduce the risk of involuntary displacement.
Reducing Financial Burdens
Renovations can also make homes more affordable by increasing energy efficiency and reducing long-term costs. Many older homes have outdated heating, cooling, and insulation systems, leading to high utility bills that strain household budgets. For low-income families or elderly individuals on a fixed income, these excessive costs can become unmanageable, pushing them toward foreclosure or eviction. Energy-efficient renovations, such as installing better insulation, upgrading windows, or replacing inefficient appliances, can significantly lower monthly expenses and improve long-term affordability.
Similarly, structural renovations that reinforce a home’s foundation or upgrade aging infrastructure can prevent costly emergency repairs down the line. When small issues are left unaddressed due to financial constraints, they can turn into major problems, forcing homeowners to abandon properties or fall into unsustainable debt. By investing in proactive renovations, homeowners can avoid sudden financial crises that put them at risk of homelessness.
Adapting Homes for Changing Needs
As people age or develop disabilities, their housing needs may change. Many individuals face the difficult choice of leaving their long-term homes because the space is no longer accessible. Renovations such as adding ramps, widening doorways, installing grab bars, or modifying bathrooms can allow people to age in place rather than move into assisted living or risk homelessness due to mobility challenges. This is especially important for individuals with disabilities who struggle to find affordable, accessible housing.
Habitat PEH’s main focus is to provide hard working families with a safe and decent place they can call home. We also believe that timely maintenance and key renovations that focus on core functionality in the home are critical to maintaining home ownership and longer-term equity building. This ensures everyone can achieve strength, stability and self reliance that is enjoyed through homeownership.