In February, 2025 Habitat for Humanity Vancouver Island North (HFHVIN) gifted a house to the Homalco First Nation (HFN). The house, which was situated on an upcoming Habitat build site in Campbell River, was relocated to HFN land rather than demolished. Through this partnership, the home will be moved and refurbished by HFN over the coming months, offering a valuable resource for the community.

We are extremely pleased to work with the Homalco First Nation to donate this viable home, rather than having it end up in the landfill. Collaboration and innovation are key to moving forward in the current housing market. - Jeff West, Habitat Executive Director

Never seen a house move? Watch the video below to see how Belton Bros Structural Movers, lifted the house in the middle of the night!

Why preserve instead of demolishing the structure?

• Serving Community Needs: Instead of demolishing a livable structure, this initiative ensures the home continues to serve the community, contributing to long-term housing stability.

• Cost-Effective Housing Solutions: Relocating and refurbishing an existing home is a practical and cost-effective way to address housing shortages while making the most of available resources.

• Demonstrating Social Responsibility: Donating this home reflects HFHVIN’s commitment to innovative housing solutions and responsible community development.

• Waste Diversion: By repurposing rather than demolishing the building, approximately 15 tons of waste will be diverted from the local landfill.

• Building Meaningful Partnerships with Local Nations: This collaboration with the Homalco First Nation highlights the importance of working alongside communities to address housing needs.

How you can help:

The move of this building is a significant milestone in HFHVIN’s plans to create more affordable homeownership opportunities in Campbell River. An ambitious fundraising drive is now underway for Habitat’s build project.

You can help by shopping at the ReStore, donating to the ReStore, volunteering with Habitat or by making a financial contribution.