This week, The Daniels Corporation and Habitat for Humanity got together to celebrate World Habitat Day, a UN-designated day to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right of adequate shelter for all. The event highlighted the two group's 23-year partnership, which has provided 73 low-income families with a first-time home ownership experience. Adding to the $6 million-equivalent donated over the course of the partnership, Daniels announced they would be transferring an additional 10 homes to Habitat for Humanity. 

Pictured below is Vice President of The Daniels Corporation Don Pugh, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark, The Mohammed Family, Deputy Mayor Ana Bailão, Habitat for Humanity GTA CEO Ene Underwood and Board Chair of Habitat for Humanity Christine Pacini, who were all on hand for the announcement. 

The Daniels Corporation, Habitat for Humanity and public officials, image courtesy of Habitat for Humanity

Vidia Mohammed, whose family was one of the 10 selected, told of the struggles of raising three children in a rented basement apartment and the peace of mind that home ownership allowed her and her young family. The family recently moved into a new home at a Daniels FirstHome Community–Beckenrose in Brampton. The Sinha family, also selected, recently moved into a unit in The Wyatt, a market-rate Condo building in Regent Park. 5 of the 10 committed homes are already occupied, with the remainder to be delivered before 2021.

Vidia Mohammed shares her story, image by Ryan Debergh

One of the main themes of the event was the benefits of public-private-philanthropic partnerships, highlighted in remarks by both Ana Bailão and Steve Clark. Underwood of Habitat for Humanity noted that since Daniels began leading the charge, 10 other private developers have come to the table to contribute to addressing the growing issue of housing unaffordability. Pictured below are the locations of homes constructed in the Habitat/Daniels Partnership, with the ten new homes highlighted in blue.

Locations of the collaborative Daniels & Habitat for Humanity developments, image courtesy of Habitat for Humanity

Daniels and Habitat for Humanity will be hosting a working breakfast with the 10 development partners next month, to open the conversation and discuss the ways in which the private-philanthropic partnerships can contribute to the affordable housing crisis.

What do you think about the role that private-sector developers can have in delivering affordable housing? Have your say in the comments below.

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