GUELPH – Habitat for Humanity Guelph Wellington has announced a renewed partnership with Co-operators as the local affiliate ramps up plans over the next three years to build more homes.
Co-operators has a longstanding commitment to supporting sustainable and resilient communities across Canada, states a press release from the company.
Housing is fundamental to building a prosperous community – it provides the safety and security for people to learn and grow, to volunteer and work in the community, to raise a family and put down roots.
“We are thrilled to support the tremendous work Habitat for Humanity Guelph Wellington is planning for our community,” says Cooperators’ associate vice president of citizenship Shawna Peddle.
“The additional barriers individuals face due to the current housing crisis in our community will take many of us joining together to make affordable housing and opportunities available for everyone. This is an important piece of the puzzle towards building a resilient and sustainable future.”
The impact corporate partners have on the work being done by Habitat Guelph Wellington is essential, the organization states.
These partners keep the build projects moving forward and provide stability in the organization as it secures new land, completes due diligence and planning approvals, breaks ground and builds homes.
This renewed partnership is multi-faceted, with Co-operators Community Funds also participating in a new, social impact Community Bond offering through Habitat for Humanity Guelph Wellington, further expanding support of affordable housing in Guelph and Wellington County.
Community Bonds are an investment tool for organizations or individuals looking to create social impact through an investment portfolio.
“We are looking to build several hundred homes in the next few years and we can only do this with the kind of support we are receiving from organizations like Co-operators and individuals who are willing to invest in our community” says Habitat’s director of community engagement and development Ryan Deska.
With these ambitious goals, Habitat for Humanity GW has had to be innovative to create new opportunities for affordable home ownership. Some of these innovative solutions include:
– acquisition of land, from conversion of commercial to underutilized properties to the exploration of new partnerships;
– financing arrangements that facilitate zero downpayment family mortgages geared to income;
– a Community Bonds platform for social impact investments that individuals and organizations can acquire to support our projects through the building phase; and
– increased fundraising capacity with an expanded opportunity for corporate sponsored build days.
For more information on the Community Bonds offering sign up for an information session at https://habitatgw.ca/communitybonds
For information on becoming a corporate partner, please contact Ryan Deska: ryan@habitatgw.ca
