Habitat For Humanity Canada celebrates Harper Government's focus on affordable housing, apprenticeships

TORONTO, March 21, 2013 /CNW/ - Habitat for Humanity Canada applauds the Harper government's renewal of the Investment in Affordable Housing and for ensuring affordable housing funds support the use of apprentices in Economic Action Plan 2013.

"The Harper government's renewed investment in affordable housing comes as great news for low-income families looking to buy a safe, decent and affordable Habitat home and for young Canadians who receive apprenticeship training on Habitat build sites, developing trade skills that lead to good jobs," said Kevin Marshman, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada.

Habitat for Humanity affiliates and low-income families across Canada have benefited from the Investment in Affordable Housing. Since 2006, the federal government's support of affordable housing through this initiative has assisted in providing affordable homeownership for over one thousand low-income families. In addition, Habitat for Humanity build sites have served as classrooms for over one thousand apprentices and pre-apprentices each year.

"Habitat for Humanity Canada supports the direction the federal government is taking to address the severe shortages in affordable housing and skilled trades," added Mr. Marshman. "With the leadership the Prime Minister has shown today, Habitat stands ready to transform the lives of even more families who dream of affordable homeownership, while preparing a generation of trade students to join the skilled labour force that will fuel Canada's growth."

About Habitat for Humanity Canada
Habitat for Humanity Canada is currently in the midst of a strategic plan goal to build 1,800 more homes by 2016, the same number it originally took 25 years to achieve.

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 63,000 volunteers every year and 69 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.

SOURCE: Habitat for Humanity Canada

Contact:
Jason Kuzminski
VP, Government Relations and Advocacy
Habitat for Humanity Canada
Office: [phone] x362  Cell: [phone]
[email protected]