BILD and Habitat GTA celebrate 15 years of giving a hand up to working, lower-income families through affordable homeownership

TORONTO, Aug. 20, 2018 /CNW/ - Habitat for Humanity GTA (Habitat GTA), in partnership with the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD), announced that the organizations will team up to sponsor their 15^th Habitat home in 15 years.

In response to the growing need for affordable housing in the Greater Toronto Area, BILD has raised over one million dollars for Habitat GTA since 2003. BILD hosts annual events to raise funds and engage their members to connect with Habitat GTA's mission and cause. For their 15-year anniversary, BILD will host five events in 2018, with a goal of raising $80,000. Funds raised in 2018 will go toward building a Habitat home for the Bhuttooah family at Habitat GTA's 13-home project at McLaughlin Road North in Brampton.

The Bhuttooah family currently lives in the basement of a townhouse where they share a single converted bedroom. "My wife and I have been sleeping on a mattress on the floor, which we need to tuck away in order to make space for our two young children to move around and play," said Amreet Bhuttooah, the family's father. "We've had issues of cockroach infestations and the basement is poorly ventilated and at times we smell drainage from upstairs. We were absolutely thrilled to receive the news this year that we will be moving into a Habitat GTA home at their McLaughlin Road site thanks to BILD's generous support."  

"Throughout its history, BILD has been a champion of housing affordability in the GTA," said Ene Underwood, CEO of Habitat GTA. "We're so proud to have BILD as a partner for 15 years in our mission of helping working, lower-income families realize the strength, stability, and self-reliance of affordable homeownership."

"BILD's long standing relationship with Habitat GTA has not only provided a home for 15 families, it has also provided them with a brighter future," said Dave Wilkes, President & CEO, BILD. "Our industry is committed to giving back to the community and BILD is proud to support our community partner and their efforts to help build affordable homes for families in need."

Hundreds of BILD staff and members have also volunteered their time volunteering on Habitat GTA build sites to build the homes they help fund.

About Habitat for Humanity GTA

Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area is a non-profit housing organization that brings communities together to help working, lower income families build strength, stability and independence through affordable homeownership. With the support of donors and volunteers, we build homes alongside partner families in Toronto, Brampton, Caledon, and York Region. Since 1988, Habitat for Humanity GTA has built more than 360 homes for families, including over 1,000 children.

About the Building Industry and Land Development Association

With 1,500 members, BILD is the voice of the home building, land development and professional renovation industry in the Greater Toronto Area. BILD is proudly affiliated with the Ontario and Canadian Home Builders' Associations.

SOURCE Habitat for Humanity GTA

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