Habitat for Humanity GTA and Seaton House partnership highlight affordable housing issues in the GTA on World Habitat Day

TORONTO, Oct. 1, 2014 /CNW/ - In celebration of World Habitat Day on Monday, October 6^th, Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area (Habitat GTA) will welcome clients of Toronto's largest men's shelter, Seaton House, who will help build safe, decent homes for 33 hardworking Habitat partner families at 960 Brimley Road, in Scarborough. Habitat GTA will also commemorate this global day of awareness by receiving a World Habitat Day Mayoral Proclamation given by the City of Toronto.

"Habitat's vision is: A world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live" says Ene Underwood, CEO for Habitat GTA. "On a day where we recognize the basic right to adequate shelter for all, we are honoured to have the men of Seaton House building side by side with us on these safe, decent and affordable homes for low-income families."

"Volunteering not only has a lasting impact on the Habitat families, but also on those who give their time in building these homes. Opportunities, like this one, allow the men at Seaton House to utilize their skills in trades, and contribute to a goal that everyone shares: safe, affordable and permanent housing," says Patricia Anderson, Manager Partnership Development at Shelter, Support & Housing Administration, the City division with responsibility for housing and homelessness services.

Event Schedule
What:	World Habitat Day Ceremony & Presentation of the Mayoral Proclamation
When:	Monday, October 6th, 8:30 AM
Where:	960 Brimley Road, Toronto, M1P 3E9
Who:	Erik Hunter, Manager, Policy and Partnerships, City of Toronto
	Dave Sauve, Board Chair, Habitat for Humanity GTA
	Patricia Anderson, Manager Partnership Development at Shelter, Support & Housing
	Administration, the City division with responsibility for housing and homelessness services.
	Ene Underwood, CEO, Habitat for Humanity GTA
	Clients of Seaton House
What:	CN Tower Lighting
When:	Monday, October 6th, lighting will begin at sunset. As it does every night, a standard light show will run for 8 minutes at the top of every hour.
Where:	301 Front Street West, Toronto, ON

About World Habitat Day:
Officially designated by the United Nations in 1985, the purpose of World Habitat Day is to bring global attention to the need for better shelter around the world. On this day, supporters of adequate shelter around the globe, participate in special activities urging community partners and leaders to shift priorities and change the systems, policies, and attitudes that lead to poverty housing.

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.

About Seaton House
Seaton House is operated by City of Toronto staff and can help up to 543 homeless men in downtown Toronto. The men staying at Seaton House have a range of needs such as those with very poor health, drug and alcohol problems and mental illness. Seaton House has four programs to help men who either self-identify as requiring temporary shelter or who are referred from hospitals, jails, and other institutions, as well as from other shelters. The Emergency Hostel Program is the largest, with 240 beds, followed by the Long Term Program with 134 beds and the Annex/Infirmary Program with 114 beds. The O'Neill Program helps first-time homeless men, many of whom are newcomers. City staff and those from community partner agencies provide extensive services to the men on site.

***MEDIA ARE INVITED TO ATTEND AND INTERVIEWS WILL BE AVAILABLE WITH HABITAT REPRESENTATIVES AND CLIENTS OFSEATON HOUSE***

Please visit habitatgta.ca for more information on Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area.

SOURCE: Habitat for Humanity GTA

Joanna M. Dwyer, Director, Marketing & Communications, Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area, 155 Bermondsey Road, Toronto, ON, M4A 1X9, T: [phone] x 259, C: [phone], [email protected]