For Immediate Release | July 14, 2026
Press Release: Habitat for Humanity Edmonton breaks ground on four new homes in Griesbach
EDMONTON, ALBERTA – On land that once served the country as a military base, Habitat for Humanity Edmonton broke ground today on four new homes in Griesbach. The build brings together federal land, provincial funding, local building expertise, and a landmark philanthropic gift: a working model for what it takes to create affordable homeownership in Alberta.
The homes, located at 298 and 299 Griesbach Road NW in the Village at Griesbach, are rising on lands that were once part of Canadian Forces Base Griesbach, made available through Canada Lands Company, the federal Crown corporation that has guided the community’s development. Behind the build stands a pairing of public investment and private generosity: funding support from the Government of Alberta and a lead gift from Edmonton philanthropists Dr. John Lilley and Eileen Guilfoyle. Construction is led by Build Edmonton Homes, the affordable housing division of Vivid Homes.
Applications are currently being accepted for all four homes, with completion expected in October 2026. The build keeps Habitat Edmonton on pace toward an ambitious target, adding 45 homes to its portfolio between 2026 and 2028; the organization is on track to add 15 this year alone, with these four among them. By year’s end, land that served Canada for generations will begin serving Edmontonians in a deeply personal way: as homes where personal stability becomes community strength.
“Today’s groundbreaking is about momentum. These four homes show what becomes possible when public land, government support, local builders, and philanthropy come together with a shared purpose. Habitat for Humanity Edmonton is focused on creating practical pathways to homeownership for people who are working hard, financially ready, and still finding the traditional market out of reach. This project is an important step toward our goal, and it reflects the kind of partnership Alberta needs more of,” said Dr. Ann-Marie Reddy, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Edmonton.
“A home is more than four walls. It is a foundation for stability, opportunity, and a brighter future. Alberta’s government is proud to support Habitat for Humanity and its partners as they make affordable homeownership possible for more hard-working Albertans. This project in Griesbach is a strong example of how partnerships between the non-profit sector and government can expand housing opportunities for Albertans,” said the Honourable Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services and minister responsible for housing.
“The Village at Griesbach demonstrates how public land can be transformed into much-needed housing, creating a vibrant community through partnerships with local builders and organizations like Habitat for Humanity Edmonton. We are very pleased to support the important efforts of Habitat for Humanity toward affordable housing and warmly welcome the future residents of these homes.” said Elisa Campbell, Vice President – Real Estate West, Canada Lands Company.
“Build Edmonton Homes is proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity in the construction of these four brand-new homes in Griesbach. Attainable home ownership is at the heart of what we do, and we look forward to having these beautiful homes completed later this year.” said Gord Johnston, CEO of Build Edmonton Homes.
“Eileen and I love to see good things happen. Four new homes will give four young families a boost towards prosperous lives,” said Dr. John Lilley, physician and lead donor of the Griesbach build.
The Griesbach homes are part of Habitat for Humanity Edmonton’s continued work to make homeownership more affordable and accessible across northern Alberta. Through Habitat’s mortgage model, homeowners purchase their homes with no cash down payment, and mortgage payments are based on approximately 50 per cent of the home’s appraised fair market value. This creates a path to ownership for people who are working, financially ready for the responsibilities of owning a home, and still unable to purchase through the traditional market.
As homeowners build equity and long-term stability, the impact of each home can continue beyond one household; when owners are ready for their next step, Habitat may repurchase the home and offer it to another household, allowing the home to support affordable homeownership for years to come.
These four homes are intended as a beginning. The partners are already exploring opportunities to build on this model, both at Griesbach and across the Edmonton region.
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Media inquiries, please contact:
Afarin Mirzadeh
Marketing & Communications Manager
Habitat for Humanity Edmonton
amirzadeh@hfh.org| communications@hfh.org
604-363-4077
About Habitat for Humanity Edmonton
Habitat for Humanity Edmonton builds homes, communities, and hope through affordable homeownership. It is the only charity in the region that provides a path to homeownership for hard-working people who have been shut out of the market. Habitat Edmonton is not social housing and does not give away homes. It empowers Albertans to purchase and own their homes, creating stability and generational change.
Habitat Edmonton also operates six ReStores in Edmonton and surrounding communities. ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores that sell new and gently used furniture, appliances, building materials, and more. Proceeds from ReStores directly support Habitat’s charitable work, so every purchase and donation contributes to making homeownership more accessible in northern Alberta.
For more information, visit hfh.org.
About Build Edmonton Homes
Build Edmonton Homes, a division of the Vivid Homes Group of Companies, is focused on creating affordable rental and home ownership opportunities in the Edmonton region. We build housing that puts the needs of families, of all sizes, first. We are proud to not only build homes, but also communities.
For more information, visit buildedmontonhomes.ca.
About Canada Lands Company
Canada Lands Company is a self-financing federal Crown corporation specializing in real estate and development, and the developer of the Village at Griesbach. For more than 30 years, the Company has developed some of the most sought-after communities in Canada while serving as the innovative steward of some of the country’s most iconic attractions: the CN Tower and Downsview Park in Toronto, and the Montréal Science Centre and the Old Port of Montréal. The Company works to enrich the everyday lives of Canadians by embracing the potential of the places and spaces it owns and operates, and by curating memorable experiences.
For more information, please visit clc-sic.ca.
