ATCO Energy and Habitat for Humanity Forge Strategic Partnership to Strengthen Affordable Housing in Southern Alberta
In a significant move to bolster affordable housing initiatives across Southern Alberta, Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta has announced a new strategic partnership with ATCO Energy. This collaboration, unveiled at Habitat's Deerfoot Meadows ReStore in Calgary on January 21, 2026, represents a multifaceted approach to supporting sustainable housing efforts throughout the region.
Financial and Operational Support for Housing Projects
The partnership includes a substantial $50,000 investment from ATCO Energy, designed to support critical stages of the housing lifecycle. This funding will assist Habitat from initial ReStore operations through to move-in day for families receiving affordable homes. Additionally, ATCO has been named as the official energy and home services supplier for Habitat's 6,000-square-foot ReStore location in Deerfoot Meadows.
"This partnership with ATCO Energy will not only help keep the lights on, but it will also allow Habitat to help drive up its net margins dedicated to our affordable housing projects," explained Gerrard Oishi, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta.
Enhancing ReStore Operations and Environmental Impact
The ReStore operations serve as the social enterprise backbone for Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta, with two physical locations in Calgary, another in Medicine Hat, and an online shop. Jeff Hodgson, director of ReStore operations, detailed how these stores function:
- Accepting donations including household decorations, commercial contributions, furniture, appliances, and building materials
- Offering tax receipts or acknowledgements to donors
- Selling items at 40 to 80 percent off standard retail prices
- Directing net proceeds back to Habitat's affordable housing projects
"In 2025, our ReStore operations netted $1.6 million back towards Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta," Hodgson revealed. Beyond financial benefits, these operations also achieve significant environmental impact by diverting approximately 3,900 tonnes of materials away from Calgary landfills annually.
Comprehensive Support for Housing Initiatives
The ATCO partnership extends beyond financial contributions to include several practical support elements:
- In-kind energy provisions to reduce ReStore operating costs
- A dedicated Habitat Build Day for upcoming projects
- Maintenance services ensuring homes remain efficient, up to code, and sustainable
- Support for Habitat's affordable home refurbishment model, allowing homes to be purchased back, upgraded, and resold to new families
This comprehensive support comes at a crucial time for Habitat's housing efforts. In 2025 alone, the organization completed 26 new homes and 4 refurbished homes, providing housing for 30 families and 82 children across Southern Alberta.
Corporate Culture and Volunteer Engagement
Lindsey Hagen, director of marketing and customer engagement for ATCO Energy, emphasized how this partnership aligns with the company's core values and purpose. "Initiatives such as this partnership are a big part of our values and purpose as an organization," Hagen stated.
ATCO Energy encourages employee volunteerism through a corporate policy that provides every employee with one full paid day off to volunteer with an organization of their choice. "We do funnel them into opportunities like the ones with Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta," Hagen added, noting that Habitat Build Days have become "the most sought-after volunteer placements" within ATCO.
This partnership between ATCO Energy and Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta represents a model of corporate-community collaboration that addresses both immediate housing needs and long-term sustainability goals. By combining financial investment, operational support, and volunteer engagement, the organizations aim to create lasting impact in affordable housing across Calgary and Southern Alberta communities.
