Cross-sectoral collaboration helps two Black families realize the dream of homeownership through the Homeownership Bridge Program
TORONTO, ON (July 18, 2024) – This morning, Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area (Habitat GTA), The Daniels Corporation (Daniels) and BlackNorth Initiative (BNI) gathered to officially welcome two Habitat GTA Partner Families to their new homes at Daniels Olivia Marie Gardens Phase 2 (OMG 2). While Daniels’ partnership with Habitat GTA extends over two decades, this is the first time that Daniels has partnered with Habitat GTA and BNI to build these two homes in support of the BNI Homeownership Bridge Program (HBP). This milestone celebration marks a significant achievement in providing safe and affordable homeownership opportunities for Black Canadian families.
The 2021 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) Housing Research Insight Report revealed that in 2016, Canada’s overall homeownership rate was over 72 per cent, with Black Canadians representing significantly lower homeownership rates at 44 per cent.
This partnership across sectors is instrumental in empowering Black Canadian families across the GTA to build security, stability, equity and opportunity through homeownership. In collaboration with the Dream Legacy Foundation, the HBP is a result of a partnership between Habitat GTA and BNI, which aims to unite society at all levels to work together to eliminate systemic racism within the housing system.