Affordable Housing:

Communities for Life Model Home

Communities for Life has been involved in extensive research and planning in the area of developing affordable housing. We engaged with the Ministry of Housing in Peru and CMHC to determine how to proceed with earthquake-resistant, lightweight, affordable housing and what needs to be done to meet building code requirements. With the research work completed, Communities for Life began the development of a model home in early 2023. 

The goal was to build an affordable home on minimum-risk property that does not have a title. Communities for Life prefabricated the home on Communities for Life-controlled property and used the opportunity to begin training tradespeople. 

In May 2022, we started several trades programs, including four main construction trades needed to build a 500 sq. ft. home. The four trades taught are electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and steel studs/drywall. This training was the first step towards a self-sustainable housing solution for people living in abject poverty in Manchay, Peru. Nearly 100 students have received real-world experience, creating opportunities through employable skills and resources to create their own homes. 

The material budget for the four trades needed to build one home is $4,000 CDN. The four trade training courses helped the students develop the skills to construct a basic, low-cost home. Graduated and existing students began to build our model home in May 2023. 

Our goal was to supply the materials needed to build a home as part of the practicum of the trades courses. Throughout the summer of 2023, our trades students provided the skills and labor to build the model home. Read more about the model home's progress.

On October 30, 2023, Communities for Life dedicated the model home! Communities for Life leadership from Canada and Peru and the students who helped build the house joined together to celebrate the home completion. Together, we can give a struggling community the power to flourish.