City of Mississauga Shares Habitat's Vision

Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga Partners With The City Of Mississauga To
Build More Affordable Housing Than Ever Before

MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 3rd, 2016 /CNW/ - On March 4th, 2016, Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga will host a Groundbreaking Ceremony to kick-off the revitalization of their latest build project - a townhome on Mariner Court for a local family of 6. The property is just one of many affordable housing units to be developed under the new partnership between Habitat and the City of Mississauga.

Under the leadership of Mayor Bonnie Crombie and other community advocates like Councillor Carolyn Parrish, the City has been looking at innovative ways to advance affordable housing in Mississauga.

"Affordable housing is at the heart of our plans to build a complete city – a Mississauga where people have access to modern public transit, can find good-paying jobs, earn an education and enjoy an unrivalled quality of life," says Mayor Crombie.

"Affordable housing gives residents the respect, dignity, pride and safety that come with having a place to call home. We want more of this for Mississauga.

"We are committed to working with other levels of government, and community partners like Habitat Humanity, to combat the housing crunch head on and create more opportunities for people to have access to affordable housing.

"As Mississauga Council moves forward with building the new Hurontario LRT - a transit initiative that will change the way residents live and move around our City - we are committed to having a plan requiring a minimum number of affordable housing units in future buildings along this important route."

Through their exciting partnership with Habitat, the City of Mississauga is taking significant strides to remedy the lack of affordable housing available to local residents. Together, they are working on developing projects that could see a potential of building hundreds of homes, including a mix of age-friendly housing, supportive housing and both deferred home ownership and traditional ownership options.

"This is only the beginning," explains Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga CEO, John Gerrard. "Here at Habitat, we are committed to growing the number of units we build in Mississauga. In order to better suit the need for affordable housing here in the community, we've been developing new ways to provide viable options for our aging population, those in need of supportive housing and transitional models to accommodate our ever-changing family dynamics.

"We are so excited that Mayor Bonnie Crombie and Councillors like Ward 5's Carolyn Parrish share Habitat's vision of a world and a city where everyone has a safe, decent and affordable place to call home. The City's plans to include affordable housing in its plans for the Hurontario LRT line is a positive step in the right direction, allowing us the opportunity to build hundreds of homes change the lives of those people in our community that are struggling to put food on the table and a roof over their head. "

After 5 years on the Habitat waiting list and more than 10 years on the Region's wait list, the Shaikh's will be the third family in Mississauga to become Habitat homeowners, thanks to the partnership between the City and Habitat. Originally from Pakistan, this hard-working family of 6 moved to Canada in 2006 to gain access to an education system that permitted all of their children, regardless of their sex, the right to pursue their goals and their dreams. After years of working hard, the family struggles to afford to live in a run-down, two-bedroom apartment where all 4 children are forced to share one room.

As a result of this innovative partnership between Habitat and the City of Mississauga, this new home will change the lives and the futures of this family for generations to come by providing them with a safe and stable place to live.

"I am absolutely delighted to welcome Habitat for Humanity to Ward 5," explains Councillor Carolyn Parrish. "Habitat will turn a vacant house into a wonderful new home for a very deserving family. I hope this is the first step in an enduring and innovative partnership between the City of Mississauga and an organization known over North America for creating partnerships that create perpetually affordable housing units."

"Mayor Crombie and Councillor Parrish should be proud of their outstanding leadership on being one of the very few municipalities that have taken such an aggressive role when it comes to affordable housing," says John Gerrard. "We're glad affordable housing is one of their top three priorities. With their direction, passion and commitment to the cause and to Habitat, we're providing a hand up to local residents in need, instead of a handout."

SOURCE Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga

Image with caption: "Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga (CNW Group/Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160303_C1909_PHOTO_EN_634942.jpg

Sarah Golan, Marketing & Communications Manager, Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga, Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Kevin Whyte, Manager of Government Relations and Special Projects, Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga, Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected]