Students Occupy Gould Street in support of Habitat for Humanity Toronto Affordable Housing

Toronto college and university students to sleep outside during the 24 hr Occupy Gould Street Home-A-Thon to raise awareness of the affordable housing crisis in Toronto

TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2012 /CNW/ - Building on the Occupy Toronto movement, students representing the Habitat Toronto Campus Coalition will occupy Gould Street at Bond Street for 24 hours starting Friday, January 27 at 7 a.m in affiliation with Ryerson University. Students from Ryerson University, York University, George Brown College, and the University of Toronto will sleep outside in temporary shelters to raise awareness of the lack of affordable housing in Toronto.

"Living in poverty has such a profound impact on families, especially children", says Neil Hetherington, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Toronto. "To see college and university students from across the city come together to rally support behind our cause is remarkable."

The affordable housing crisis is at an all-time high for low-income families. There are more than 600,000 low-income families living in Toronto and more than 76,000 households remain on a wait list for one of 93,000 social housing spots¹.  Students will come together to represent one voice in support of  Habitat for Humanity Toronto, who helps lob-income families by providing a hand up, not a hand out.

The 24-hour occupation will include remarks from Neil Hetherington, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Toronto, as well as live music, yoga, and discussion of the affordable housing crisis in Toronto. Representatives from the Campus Coalition and Habitat Toronto will be available for interviews throughout the event.

Who:	Campus Coalition on behalf of Habitat for Humanity Toronto
Where:	Ryerson University campus on Gould Street at Bond Street
When:	Friday, Jan. 27, 2012 at 7 a.m. to Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012 at 7 a.m.
	Neil Hetherington will speak on Friday, Jan. 27, 2012 at 2:30 p.m.

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 four Toronto ReStores. Habitat Toronto ReStores sell quality new and gently used donated building materials. Habitat for Humanity Toronto is proud to be ranked as one of the top 5 medium sized builders by the 2011 Tarion Award of Excellence. Every 10 minutes, Habitat for Humanity helps a family improve their housing situation in more than 100 countries around the world.

¹Source: City of Toronto. January 2011. Poverty, Housing and Homelessness in Toronto. http://www.toronto.ca/affordablehousing/pdf/poverty-factsheet.pdf

or for interviews, please contact:
Neil Hetherington
CEO, Habitat for Humanity Toronto
Phone: [phone] ext. 223
Mobile: [phone]

On behalf of the Campus Coalition:
Enloe Wilson, Faith and Community Relations Coordinator
Habitat for Humanity Toronto
Phone: [phone] ext. 242
Email: [email protected]