Habitat for Humanity York Region builds simple, decent and affordable homes in partnership with the community and with the families who will own them. All homes are built almost completely by volunteers using building materials, land and money donated by individuals, businesses, and various community groups.
- HFHYR was established in 2001 in response to a growing need for affordable housing in York Region
- HFHYR services the communities of York Region: Markham, Newmarket, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, King, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina and the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury
- 112,500 local area families in our community are living in low income households, which have increased by 55% since 2001. The number of children living in low income households has increased by 62%
- In 2008, there were 6,028 social housing units operated and/or administered by York Region with over 5,838 households on the waitling list for a unit.
- HFHYR provides relief to our strained social housing system by providing the opportunity of affordable homeownership to more of our community members who cannot afford conventional housing financing. By providing this opportunity, we leave crucial social housing spots for those members of the community who are especially vulnerable: those who are physically or mentally diabled and those seeking aid and protection.
Families purchase their home from Habitat and make monthly payments on their no-interest mortgages over a period of 20 to 30 years. In addition, families are required to complete a minimum of 500 hours of ‘sweat equity’ by volunteering to help build their own home, other Habitat homes or helping us in other ways. The Habitat approach provides families with a hand up, not a hand out.
- For each of our builds, HFHYR will be using sustainable building practices by working to obtain LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification.
- Good housing contributes to a strong infrastructure by attracting economic investment and development. Housing construction creates job opportunities and stimulates the creation and subsistence of small business.
- 100% of your donation will go towards our building initiatives. All administrative costs are funded through revenue generated from our ReStore.
To learn more about Habitat for Humanity York Region please visit our website at www.habitatyork.ca. For more information about getting involved call 905-868-8722 or send us an email at inquiries@habitatyork.ca.