Habitat for Humanity Canada<br/><br/>
Recently, our parish’s Social Justice Team introduced the Affordable Homeownership volunteering initiative which is spearheaded by Habitat for Humanity Canada. This organization finds its roots in Habitat for Humanity International, which was founded in 1976 in the spirit of the Gospel with the goal of helping impoverished families build simple housing. Canada joined this organization in 1985.<br/><br/>
Habitat for Humanity has built over 200,000 houses in over 100 countries. On average, one house is completed every 24 minutes. Members of families who purchase these affordable houses have to contribute to the construction work for 500 hours. In addition, they must repay the interest-free mortgage within 25 years. In Canada, 3 bedroom houses cost between CAN$60,000 to $120,000. The monthly mortgage payment does not exceed 30% of the family’s income. In order to keep the prices of these houses low, not only is the bulk of the labour dependent on volunteers, the materials also need to be sponsored by donors and the land is bought from the government at below-market prices. However, this organization does not accept direct government subsidies for building cost in order to operate more freely in the Christian spirit and serve those in need. In Canada, this organization not only helps build new houses, it also provides assistance in repairing old houses.<br/><br/>
Habitat for Humanity Canada’s headquarter is in Waterloo. With the exception of the office staff, all members of the board of directors are volunteers. The Toronto branch also requires a large number of volunteers in this meaningful work. Please visit www.habitat.ca for details.