A safe and decent home in time for National Housing Day

Habitat Toronto commemorates the Canadian-recognized day by opening the doors
to its own affordable home

TORONTO, Nov. 22 /CNW/ -

WHY:  Four hundred Habitat for Humanity Toronto supporters will open the doors to the charity's newly built, LEED Certified building during National Housing Week at their annual Habitat Appreciation Night on November 24^th, 2010. On this evening, the charity will present awards recognizing their many supporters for their invaluable contributions and give its volunteers, donors, and homeowners a sneak preview of their new Home Building Factory, Training Facility, ReStore and Office.

"I'm thrilled to move into a facility that will bring staff, volunteers, homeowners and donors together for the first time," says Habitat for Humanity Toronto's CEO Neil Hetherington. "Having all of our resources under one roof means greater program efficiencies and cost reductions for the organization." This move will allow Habitat Toronto to decrease operational costs and thus help more families living in need. It also shows Habitat for Humanity Toronto's commitment to making the organization better and stronger by building more safe and decent homes efficiently. The charity estimates that with greater efficiency that this new facility will bring, they will build more homes than ever before and more than any other affiliate in Canada.

National Housing Day reminds Torontonians of some sobering statistics: over 70,000 families are on Toronto's waiting list for subsidized housing and 25% of the city's population live below the poverty line. However, Habitat for Humanity Toronto is proud to offer hardworking Toronto families a way out of the cycle of poverty by reducing barriers to homeownership. "I like Habitat Toronto because it is a permanent solution to end the housing crisis for partner families," says Habitat for Humanity Toronto's 2010 Volunteer of the Year Susan Hawkins. "Having simple basic housing is such an essential human need."

By constructing a property of its own, Habitat Toronto is investing in its future success and building greater hope that their vision of 'a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live' is realized.

WHAT:	Habitat Appreciation Night
WHEN:	Wednesday November 24th, 2010
WHERE:	Habitat for Humanity Toronto's new Home Building Factory, Training Facility, ReStore and Office
	155 Bermondsey Road, Toronto M4A 1X9
	(East of the DVP and south of Eglinton Ave. E. Parking available.)
WHO:	● Neil Hetherington, CEO, Habitat for Humanity Toronto
	● Mag Ruffman, Canadian celebrity and event emcee
	● 400 volunteers, donors and Habitat Toronto homeowners

***Media are invited to attend and interviews will be available***

Please visit www.torontohabitat.ca/AboutUs for more information on Habitat for Humanity Toronto.

For further information: