Sept. 26 barbecue, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Homestead Co-op benefits Habitat build
The Carman-Dufferin Chapter of Habitat for Humanity Manitoba is preparing to launch its next home build and is calling on the community for help.
The chapter holds title to a property at 146 First Street S.E., next door to its previous Habitat home and near Carman Collegiate. Volunteer organizer Ernie Bart said the site is well suited for a modest house that will serve a local family for generations.
“The home is considered part of an interconnected communal system – both the neighbourhood infrastructure and the surrounding natural environment,” Bart explained. “It’s about building stability and belonging right in the heart of Carman.”
The new house will be a simple, rectangular design with a covered front deck, similar to the first Habitat home built in Carman. Main floor plans call for a living room, dining room, kitchen and two bedrooms, with additional bedrooms and a bathroom in the basement if needed.
Habitat homes are typically between 850 and 1,000 square feet, with layout tailored to the size of the partner family. Construction is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2026, depending on funding.
“The chapter may begin the family selection process in the next few months,” Bart said, noting applicants are screened through Habitat Manitoba’s established criteria. “Families go through credit checks, counselling appointments and review before final approval. It’s a thorough process, but the goal is to give a family a lasting foothold here in Carman.”
Bart said the project addresses a pressing need in Carman and across rural Manitoba.
“Carman has the potential for growth, but not the housing supply to provide for that,” he said. “Building a new home and buying land is now very expensive and prices out many people. With the cost of rent rising, families are struggling to save a downpayment. Some workers are even bussed in because there isn’t housing available for them.”
Citing a CBC report, Bart noted rural Manitoba has the highest rate of people in core housing need anywhere in Canada, with 23 per cent of renters living in places that fail two or more housing standards.
“Adding houses to the market in Carman is important for the continued growth of the community,” he said.
To make the build possible, the chapter must raise between $230,000 and $250,000, with at least 75 per cent of funds or pledges secured before breaking ground.
“Fundraising support is one of the most needed areas right now, because without the funds the house cannot be built,” Bart said. “But we also need volunteers of all kinds — people who can take direction on a build site, fundraisers with ideas, and local businesses willing to pitch in. Every dollar and every hour of work contributed stays right here in the community.”
Businesses including Homestead Co-op, Toews Printing, Redpath Custom Carpentry, True North Foods, Neptune Properties and others have already committed support.
The chapter is also hosting a fundraising barbecue lunch on Friday, Sept. 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Homestead Co-op Carman Food Store. Hotdogs, smokies, chips, veggies and drinks will be served, with proceeds going directly to the build.
Other fundraising campaigns include a door-to-door canvass in October and a community gathering event with Habitat presentations and entertainment planned for November.
For committee member Laurie Redpath, the motivation is both practical and personal.
“As a local builder, I’m interested in both construction and helping a family benefit from the same kind of help I once received,” said Redpath. “We were blessed with support when buying our first home, and I like being able to see someone local have that same opportunity.”
He added that Habitat partner families not only gain strength and stability through home ownership, but also pay mortgages back into the local chapter, funding future builds.
“This Habitat project provides a great opportunity for all community members to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the recipient family,” Bart said. “It’s a chance to weave a real and lasting difference into our community fabric.”
For more information on volunteering or contributing, email Bart at erniebart70@gmail.com or sign up at local events such as the Carman Farmers’ Market, River Days, Carman Fair, or the Sept. 26 barbecue.
