Genworth Canada Swings More than a Hammer for Habitat for Humanity

Becomes Inaugural Sponsor of Building Blocks Campaign in Toronto

TORONTO, April 23, 2014 /CNW/ - Recognizing the need for more affordable homeownership opportunities in Canada's most populated city, Genworth Canada has made a three-year $100,000 commitment to Habitat for Humanity Toronto (Habitat GTA) to help fund future land development through their Building Blocks Campaign.

Building Blocks Campaign: More than swinging a hammer
The campaign is aimed at raising money for Habitat GTA's largest project expenditure – everything that happens before the shovels go in the ground.  While every volunteer that comes out to help build a Habitat home is a key cog in the process, there are a lot of things required to get to that point.  The Building Blocks Campaign will secure funds that will be used for critical elements, such as land and asset purchase, permits, development planning and architectural and engineering consultants.

"As a longstanding supporter of Habitat for Humanity Canada, we believe in the goal of this campaign, which is to increase Habitat's impact in Toronto in a meaningful way," said Debbie McPherson, Senior Vice-President of Sales and Marketing at Genworth Canada. "We are proud to be the inaugural sponsor of Building Blocks and believe this program will help fulfill the need for more affordable housing in the city."

No Longer Building One House at a Time
The Building Blocks campaign will also ensure that Habitat GTA is not restricted in its options for housing by its finances.  With corporate partners providing longer term commitments, Habitat GTA will be able to source different building types, renovate them and provide a wider variety of affordable housing options to Habitat families in Toronto.

"The need for affordable housing is felt deeply in Toronto, where many families are forced to stay in substandard or overcrowded rental conditions often in communities that are unsafe," said Ene Underwood, CEO of Habitat for Humanity GTA. "Our mission is to break the cycle of poverty by providing affordable homeownership. When we help hard working families realize their dream of home ownership, we help lay the foundations for a better future for these families and for their children's children."

Launch Event: Reshaping Toronto
On April 24, 2014, Habitat GTA and Genworth Canada will be joined by Doug Saunders, International-Affairs Columnist for The Globe and Mail and Jennifer Keesmaat, Chief Planner of the City of Toronto, to celebrate the launch of this important program.  To find out more about the launch event or become a corporate partner, contact Angela Solomos of Habitat GTA at [email protected].

GTA Housing Facts

• 1 in 5 households live in over-crowded, substandard or unaffordable housing
• 77,000 households are on the active wait list for social housing
• 71 per cent of an average low-income family's earnings goes directly to food, shelter and other necessities
• Habitat GTA has approved over 380 families, including 1,090 children, for affordable homeownership and has built over 250 homes

About Genworth Canada
Genworth MI Canada Inc. (TSX: MIC) through its subsidiary, Genworth Financial Mortgage Insurance Company Canada (Genworth Canada), is the largest private residential mortgage insurer in Canada. The Company provides mortgage default insurance to Canadian residential mortgage lenders, making homeownership more accessible to first-time homebuyers. Genworth Canada differentiates itself through customer service excellence, innovative processing technology, and a robust risk management framework. For almost two decades, Genworth Canada has supported the housing market by providing thought leadership and a focus on the safety and soundness of the mortgage finance system. As at December 31, 2013, Genworth Canada had $5.7 billion total assets and $3.1 billion shareholders' equity. Find out more at www.genworth.ca.

About Habitat for Humanity Canada
Founded in 1985, Habitat for Humanity Canada is a national, non-profit organization working towards a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. With the help of over 50,000 volunteers every year and 65 affiliate organizations from coast to coast, their mission is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to break the cycle of poverty in Canada and around the world. For more information, please visit www.habitat.ca.

About Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area
Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area is a non-profit housing organization that mobilizes volunteers and community partners in providing affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty. One hundred percent of all administrative and fundraising costs are paid for by the operation of our ReStore locations. Habitat ReStores sell new and gently-used donated building and household products. Every 5.5 minutes, Habitat for Humanity helps a family improve their housing situation somewhere in the world.

SOURCE: Genworth Canada

For additional information or to arrange interviews, please contact: Genworth Canada, Lisa Azzuolo, [email protected] 905-287-5520; Habitat GTA, Joanna M. Dwyer, [email protected], 416-755-7353 x259