Media Advisory - Toronto mayoral candidates discuss affordable housing at
open debate

TORONTO, May 4 /CNW/ - On May 11 at 7:00pm, six of Toronto's mayoral candidates will take part in a debate focused on affordable housing, hosted by Habitat for Humanity Toronto. Each of the six candidates will debate their platforms on housing policies from shelters through to affordable homeownership.

Currently over 190,000 children live in poverty in the City of Toronto and over 72,000 families are on the waiting list for social housing, where the average wait time for a three-bedroom subsidized apartment is over 12 years. The lack of affordable housing in the city is not a well-known fact among most Torontonians, but is one that deeply affects families, neighbourhoods, and the community.

"Habitat for Humanity Toronto is keenly interested in hearing first-hand how each candidate would bring hope to those living in unaffordable, substandard housing in this city if elected," says Habitat for Humanity Toronto CEO Neil Hetherington.

The debate will be moderated by John Tory of Newstalk 1010 and Gale Beeby of the Toronto Star, and will be hosted by Neil Hetherington, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Toronto, with an expected 500 members of the public in attendance.

    
    (xxx)Media are invited to attend and interviews will be available(xxx)

    Who:   - Mayoral candidates Rocco Rossi, George Smitherman, Sarah
             Thomson, Giorgio Mammoliti, Joe Pantalone, and Rob Ford.
           - Moderated by John Tory (Newstalk 1010) and Gale Beeby (Toronto
             Star)
           - Hosted by Habitat for Humanity Toronto CEO, Neil Hetherington
           - This event is open to Habitat for Humanity Toronto new
             homeowners and the public

    When:  Tuesday, May 11, 2010
           7:00 p.m. - Interview opportunities with Neil Hetherington and
                       mayoral candidates.
           7:30 p.m. - Debate begins. Photo opportunities available.

    Where: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE)
           252 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M5S 1V6
           (Bloor and Devonshire, near the St. George subway station)
    

About Habitat for Humanity Toronto:

Established in 1988, Habitat for Humanity Toronto is a non-profit, non-denominational Christian housing organization. We welcome all people without discrimination to join us as we build simple, decent, affordable homes in partnership with low-income families. One hundred percent of all administrative and fundraising costs are paid for by the operation of three ReStores. Habitat ReStores sell quality new and gently used donated building materials. Every 10 minutes, Habitat for Humanity helps a family improve their housing situation in more than 100 countries around the world.

For further information: Neil Hetherington, Chief Executive Officer, Habitat for Humanity Toronto, office: [phone] ext 223, cell: [phone], [email protected], On Tuesday call Neil Hetherington at [phone]; Joanna M. Dwyer, Marketing and Communications Associate, Habitat for Humanity Toronto, office: [phone], ext. 228, [email protected]