Habitat for Humanity Toronto breaks ground on fully accessible home for low-income family.

Project to provide a safe home for 9 year old boy with Cerebral Palsy.

TORONTO, May 25, 2012 /CNW/ - Habitat for Humanity Toronto will break ground on a new build project at 96 Ritchie Avenue in Toronto's west-end on Wednesday May 30^th at 10:00 a.m. The land, generously donated by Loblaw Properties Limited, will serve as the foundation for a two-bedroom, fully-accessible home for the Sinato Family.

Since moving to Canada from Argentina in 2002, Lorena Sinato has faced an uphill battle trying to provide the best care possible for her son Bryan, who suffers from Cerebral Palsy and is legally blind. Bryan requires a lot of extra care, using a special walker to help with mobility and surgically inserted tubes so he can be fed.

Being a single mother of a son living with disabilities has its challenges, but for Lorena, those challenges are exacerbated by substandard living conditions. "Living in a poorly kept high-rise building is a daily struggle for Bryan and me," explains Lorena. "When the elevators are not working - as is often the case in our building - we have to carry him up 6 flights of stairs." Lorena is thrilled to become a homeowner by partnering with Habitat for Humanity Toronto. "I am going to be able to give Bryan a real home with all the space he deserves."

Habitat for Humanity Toronto empowers low-income families to build a hopeful future by breaking the cycle of poverty through affordable homeownership. Homeowners pay zero-interest mortgage on a home with monthly payments that do not exceed 30 percent of their income. In lieu of a down-payment, the homeowners volunteer 500 hours of 'sweat-equity' to build the homes alongside other volunteers.

"Having a safe and barrier-free home can make all the difference in shaping the healthy development of a child, and if you're a low-income family, it can be an incredible challenge," says Neil Hetherington, CEO of Habitat Toronto. "Homeownership through the Habitat for Humanity model allows parents to provide a stable and safe environment for their families, on terms that are affordable."

What: 96 Ritchie Groundbreaking Ceremony

When: Wednesday, May 30, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Where: 96 Ritchie Avenue (Dundas West and Roncesvalles)

***Media are invited to attend and interviews will be available***
Please visit www.torontohabitat.ca for more information on Habitat for Humanity Toronto.
Follow us on Twitter: @HabitatToronto

For more information or media requests, please contact: 
Esther Bowser, Director of Marketing and Communications
Habitat for Humanity Toronto
T: 416.755.7353 x 228 C: 416-708-6481 E: [email protected]