Community Knowledge Centre - Toronto Community Foundation

About this organization

Mission

The mission of Habitat For Humanity Toronto (HFHT) is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing for low-income families and promoting homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty.

History of Organization

Established in 1988, HFHT is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. With the help of dedicated volunteers and donors, we have built more than 225 homes for low-income families. The challenge going forward is to build 50 new homes each year across the city to address the ever-rising demand for affordable housing.

HFHT has earned a reputation for helping low-income families in Toronto break the cycle of poverty by partnering with them to build simple, decent, and affordable homes through a no-down-payment-and-interest-free mortgage. Our “hand-up, not hand-out” solution enables low-income families to build assets, contribute to the tax base, reduce their dependence on other forms of social assistance and eventually break the cycle of poverty.

We mobilize over 10,000 volunteers annually in building homes and promoting homeownership. We are proud to say that all administrative costs are paid for by our three ReStores, which sell quality new and used building materials. This means that 100% of donations are designated to home building and family outreach.

Accolades and Accomplishments

• Over 225 affordable homes built and families housed (including hundreds of children).
• For every 12 homes we build in Toronto, we can build one home per year from the mortgage income alone.
• Since 2007, every HFHT home has been built to or beyond Energy Star qualifications.
• Our ReStore operations divert over 1000 tonnes of waste annually from landfills by salvaging gently-used renovation materials, donated by the public, and sold at 50% or less of their original cost.

Programs

>Home-Building Projects
>Family Outreach/Training
>Habitat University

Decent housing saves lives.

It’s a foundation where families become healthier, where kids leave for school in the morning and do their homework at night, where parents rest from one day and plan for the next.

In decent housing, walls are strong and roofs are secure - and the family inside focuses on thriving instead of surviving.

Home-Building Projects

Habitat for Humanity Toronto builds between 35 - 50 homes a year, with several build sites at various levels of completion at any one time. Each project enables families to purchase quality homes at cost with a no-down-payment-and-interest-free mortgage. Homeownership allows for a stable environment, predictable payments, and the ability to save and build equity for the future. We ensure our Partner Families do not spend more than 30% of their annual income on shelter, leaving sufficient income for food and health, and more time devoted to jobs, education and community.

Currently, we choose to highlight our Acme Crescent build site which aims to build 6 new homes for families struggling to overcome poverty. The neighbourhood is established and family-oriented, offering parks, schools, and childcare, grocery, and a shopping mall nearby. It is also conveniently located near the Kipling subway station.

As always, 100% of donations goes towards the building of the homes. Our faithful volunteer crew leaders and volunteer builders have been building with us since October 2011. We have the land, we have the volunteers and we have materials that have been donated. But we still need to raise funds to help us complete these homes.

Program Impact

A Habitat home frees families from the struggles and indignities of living in inadequate shelter. With the foundation of a safe, healthy, and affordable home, children do better in school and families set higher goals for their future.

• 62% of Habitat homeowners report an immediate improvement in school grades.
• On average, a Toronto Habitat homeowner's income rises by 8% each year they are in their home.
• Families no longer rely on the annual subsidy required to support affordable rental programs. Instead, in 2011 Habitat Toronto homeowners paid over $454,000 in property taxes, helping to fund the services and programs vital to Toronto communities.

Toronto's Vital Signs® indicator(s) addressed by Program

“If our housing costs over 30% of our total income, too many of us don’t have enough for food, clothing, education, recreation or other basic needs.” (Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009)

Participant Vignette

With five sons ranging from toddlers to teenagers, Thulisile Mathabela runs a full household. “Although there are too many of us living under one roof, we work together to keep a clean and friendly atmosphere,” Thulisile says. She admits that before Habitat Toronto, life often felt hopeless. Living in a cramped apartment in need of repair and working long hours to support her family, Thulisile couldn’t fathom how she could make life better for her sons.

Happily, the state of her household changed when she was approved for a Habitat home. “I believe a healthy home is a vital ingredient in pursuing a meaningful life,” she says. “Purchasing a new Habitat Toronto home will determine how we make life decisions. It will shape our attitudes, awareness and self-esteem.”

As Thulisile looks towards the future, she is filled with hope about her children’s new house and their new life. “For me, ‘home’ means having a happy life, a healthy spirit and a happy family. As a parent, I pray that my kids achieve their dreams and become good citizens who will contribute to society.”

Family Outreach/Training

HFHT stewards our families through the process of home ownership from beginning to end. We offer introductory information sessions all across the city for families who are interested in applying for a Habitat home, helping them through the application and screening process.

Once a family is approved, HFHT provides a wide range of services and training to help families transition from a rental mindset to one of ownership. These courses include personal finance, mortgage management, legal, insurance and home maintenance, condo ownership, and conflict management.

Program Impact

We work with our partner families to sustain home ownership over the long term. This enables them to build assets, contribute to the tax base, reduce their dependence on other forms of social assistance and eventually break the cycle of poverty.

Toronto's Vital Signs® indicator(s) addressed by Program

“For newcomers, ours can be a difficult and stressful city in which to find and hold a job, or rent or buy a home.” (Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009)

Participant Vignette

“I remember rushing into their info meeting after work, grabbing fast food for my son for dinner on the way there.  I got myself an application after the meeting and I remember filling it out that same night. For the next few weeks I kept my fingers crossed hoping that Habitat would contact me soon.  A short time later I did get a letter from Habitat saying that they had received my application at which time they supplied me with a file number for future correspondence.

At this point although Habitat had not said yes or no towards the approval of my application, I still felt as if there was a ray of light and a speck of hope.  As time went by during my application process I went on to appreciate and respect Habitat.  Not only were they non-discriminating and nonjudgmental, they didn’t care about my religion, creed, colour or race.  What they do care about is that I meet criteria, I am honest, and that I am a hard working tax payer who pays my bills on time.

Make no mistake, this is not a handout. All partner families must put in their 500 sweat equity hours as well as continue their commitment to helping other partner families.  I will never forget the phone call that I received from Habitat on December 18, 2007.  I asked the Habitat staff at the other end of the phone if she could please lower the phone so that I could scream, and she did. After I finished screaming, she went on to wishing Beau and I a Merry Christmas and a happy birthday by presenting us with approval for partnership homeownership with Habitat.”
-Audrey and Beau McDonald, HFHT Partner Family

Habitat University

Habitat University provides comprehensive knowledge and skill practice in home construction. Volunteers learn terminology, building methods, and site safety and operations from knowledgeable instructors. Classes are currently held at Habitat Toronto build sites and the Etobicoke ReStore – where students learn using the same materials and equipment found on a typical build site.

Habitat University is our response to a need for dynamic and knowledgeable volunteers to direct our ever expanding build efforts. To keep construction costs at a minimum, Habitat engages volunteers to complete all aspects of home construction, excluding electrical work and plumbing and select other construction tasks.

In addition, we use Habitat University to teach our volunteers about sustainable building, and how we employ those techniques in all our build sites. We build all our homes according to or beyond Energy Star qualifications to reduce our carbon footprint and safeguard the pocketbooks of our partner families. Since our Solar Panel House project at 1500 Weston Road, the homes at 4572 Kingston Road will be built to meet GreenHouse® certification.

Program Impact

When people with the will and determination to make a difference come together in a supportive and educational environment, where they feel comfortable learning skills, meeting new people and developing a deeper commitment to volunteerism and philanthropy, we are able to further our vision of a world where every man, woman and child has a simple, decent and affordable home.

Each build site will provide opportunities for more that 10,000 individuals to donate their time and skills to Habitat Toronto. They will be given an opportunity to swing a hammer on site and make a tangible difference in their own community. Working together, people with little or no construction experience work alongside those who have more to build a quality home for a family living in need.

Toronto's Vital Signs® indicator(s) addressed by Program

“The more we feel connected to others, the more vibrant and resilient we are, individually and collectively. Opportunities to contribute our unique talents, including becoming community leaders, are key to the vitality of our city.” (Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009)

Participant Vignette

• “I liked the fact that women are being trained to do these types of volunteer jobs that are traditionally jobs that guys do.”
• “Being able to use the tools got rid of fears and built confidence.”
• “I enjoyed the opportunity to meet other volunteers and to know the working environment”

 - Feedback from Habitat University participants.