Joined by a group of volunteers, a deserving Mississauga family will soon be the owners of a new townhome in Daniels “FirstHome Destination Drive II in Erin Mills”. The Daniels Corporation and Citi Foundation have launched a unique program with Habitat for Humanity in Mississauga, helping families realize their dream of home ownership.
The chosen family came to Canada years ago and have spent countless hours giving back to their community through many different initiatives. The father is a coordinator at a local food bank where his wife and children volunteer. The mother is the current chairperson of the parent council at her children’s school. They also successfully advocated in keeping a local branch of the public library from closing. They will now be moving from a cramped two-bedroom apartment to a three-bedroom townhome, the first step in realizing the Canadian dream.
For the first time in Canada, Habitat for Humanity acquired the townhome from Daniels at a significantly reduced rate, and its group of dedicated volunteers helped finish the interior of the building. This approach would not have been possible without the generous support from both Daniels Corporation and Citi Foundation. Habitat for Humanity hopes that this model will serve as an example to other developers, and members of the private sector.
"To serve our families’ need for affordable homes, we have to come up with alternative approaches. A few years ago, Daniels donated the land for 10 Habitat homes in Etobicoke - the single largest donation of land by a private company in Habitat Canada’s History.” Said Doug Clark, Board Chair and President of Habitat for Humanity Mississauga.
“Subsequently, Daniels President Mitchell Cohen offered us the opportunity of partnering with them at their First Home Communities. Recognizing the importance of this opportunity, City Foundation and their employees also came forward to help with funding and to assist on the build. This generous level of involvement from both Daniels and Citi is a positive example of two organizations that are committed to strengthening their communities working with Habitat to help build homes and hope for deserving families."
Daniels “First Home” developments in Erin Mills, Brampton and Regent Park have been applauded for enabling families the opportunity to purchase and own affordable housing. Considering Daniels background in giving back to the communities that they develop, there was little doubt that they where ecstatic to be part of this partnership.
"Daniels is delighted to be part of this innovative initiative" says Daniels Vice-President Don Pugh. "Through our FirstHome communities, we have an ongoing commitment to help make the dream of home ownership a reality for as many people as possible. Through this symbolic relationship between Daniels, Citi, and Habitat, we are demonstrating that affordable housing can be achieved. We are the visionaries behind the creation of Erin Mills. Our co-operate roots are here, we have a long history of building in this city.
Citi group where also very excited to be part of this opportunity.
"The Citi Foundation is committed to the economic empowerment of individuals and families, in the communities where we work so that they can improve their standard of living" said John Hastings, Citi County Officer and CEO of Citibank Canada "Citi has a long history of partnering with Habitat for Humanity to sponsor builds around the world. Not only are we proud to lend our support with grants through the Citi Foundation, our employees in the Mississauga area also believe in this project and have volunteered 500 hours of their (own) time to build this"
After more then 2000 hours of volunteer work, including “sweat equity” from the family, the home is expected to be completed next spring. The family took a lead in the construction of the
home, working long hours and also providing meals to volunteers. The family will also benefit from purchasing the home from Habitat with no money down, and an interest free mortgage.
"This is such a deserving family" Clark added, "they have spent years giving back to the community. They are thrilled to be joining the community of first time home buyers at Daniels FirstHome Destination Drive II and its a privilege to be working with them on their future home.
