You may not have known that this past Monday was World Habitat Day but you may have noticed the CN Tower was lit up blue and green that evening, and it’s no coincidence.
The United Nations has designated the first Monday of October every year as World Habitat Day, a day to reflect on the state of human settlements and the basic right to adequate shelter for all.
To celebrate the occasion, Habitat for Humanity Toronto, whose corporate colours are, you guessed it, blue and green, hosted several events across the City, including the raising of its flag on the Green Rooftop at Toronto City Hall.
I was pleased to attend the flag-raising and proclamation of World Habitat Day in the City of Toronto by Mayor David Miller, representing the more than 1,300 members of BILD. We’re very proud of our community partnership with Habitat because frankly, we’re both in the same business of providing affordable homeownership. Over the years, with the generous support of the membership, we’ve been able to help Habitat build seven homes for partner families.
The City of Toronto is doing its part as well, through its Home Ownership Assistance Program. Under the HOAP program, the City provides $2 million annually to offset City development fees and charges for non-profit affordable ownership developers. This year, the City is supporting the building of 395 new affordable homes including 47 being built by Habitat for Humanity Toronto.
As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving in the warmth and comfort of our homes this coming week-end, it’s reassuring to know that organizations like Habitat are raising the flag of affordable homeownership, literally and figuratively.
