Daniels urges others in industry to build affordable housing

Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area and The Daniels Corporation recently hosted a home dedication ceremony for two working, low-income families in Brampton at the Daniels FirstHome™ Sunny Meadow community.  

Members of the Daniels team, Habitat GTA, and Linda Jeffrey, Mayor of the City of Brampton, were in attendance to welcome the two families, the Alis and Hassans, and congratulate them on realizing their dreams of homeownership. The Alis will be living at Sunny Meadow and the Hassans will be moving into their new home in Daniels other Brampton community, Olivia Marie Gardens.

Linda Jeffrey, Mayor of the City of Brampton

“I can’t describe to you how much this home means to our family, and how much it will change our lives for the better,” said Nasir Ali, a father of three. “Our kids will have their own room and space to do their homework and focus on their studies. They will feel comfortable inviting friends over to our home to play and work on projects.”

“Deep inside, I am at peace knowing that I’m providing my family with a nurturing and enabling environment, and a place they are proud to call home,” added Nasir.

We want to stress that Habitat GTA does not offer handouts. Both of these families worked very hard, contributing to their down payment in sweat equity, in addition to waiting years on an extremely long wait list.

Ifrah Jama, daughter of Shamis Hassan

“Being a homeowner is a great change for my children and I,” said Shamis Hassan, a mother of two. “Due to my income, the dream of owning a home in a safe neighbourhood was very bleak, but Habitat for Humanity GTA made it possible. Now I can feel safe, comfortable and confident about the next chapter of my life, and the future of my children.”

The dedication ceremony also commemorated the 20th year of the partnership between Daniels and Habitat GTA. Over the last two decades, Daniels has supplied new homes for 35 Habitat partner families.

Niall Haggart, Executive Vice President, Daniels with the Ali family

“Daniels is a trailblazer and a leading light in addressing the affordable housing challenges in the GTA,” said Ene Underwood, CEO at Habitat GTA. “Their innovative approach to tackle the shortage of affordable homeownership solutions in the GTA alongside Habitat is a model of how developers in the residential housing industry can give back to the communities where they live and work.”

In the last 10 years, Daniels has secured numerous partially completed townhomes and condo units for Habitat partner families. They also donated a parcel of land for the construction of 10 new homes, which is the largest donation to Habitat GTA by any private company.

Don Pugh, Daniels’ Vice President

“Today’s key dedication ceremony celebrates a happy new beginning for our two Habitat partner families, who can go forward with confidence, knowing they have a great place to call home,” said Don Pugh, Daniels’ Vice President. “At Daniels, we treasure our long-standing relationship with Habitat GTA, as we share the value of putting people first. We also understand the power of affordable homeownership in both the economic and social sectors, and we work together toward this ongoing goal. We encourage others in our industry to think outside the box to include affordable housing into their communities and help non-profit housing providers like Habitat enhance the quality of life for everyone.”

There are thousands of working, low-income families on Habitat GTA’s wait list. Daniels has set an example for the industry and come up with a private-public partnership model that works and makes sense. We also urge other members of the industry to support Habitat GTA, get involved, and build well rounded, vibrant communities.