City of Greater Sudbury, Community Builders, Community Living Greater Sudbury, Royal Canadian Legion, Royal LePage, TG Innerselves, and YMCA of Northeastern Ontario join Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North’s growing Build Coalition
Greater Sudbury, ON – Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North’s (OGN) collective addressing the affordable housing crisis in the North has grown by the power of eight.
This month OGN hosted their inaugural Our House | Notre Maison Coalition meeting at Collège Boréal where they welcomed the addition of key community partners to the alliance.
“This coalition aims to redefine the Habitat for Humanity concept of affordable home ownership in our communities,” says Michael Cullen, OGN’s Director of Community Partnerships, Greater Sudbury and District. “With a team of build partners that includes Collège Boréal, EllisDon, Soublière Constructors, and 3rdLine.Studio, we’re delighted to grow this coalition with the addition of community partners.” Adds Cullen, “The draw of a common cause to these like-minded individuals and groups is magnetic. We are looking forward to working alongside the City of Greater Sudbury, and welcome Community Builders, Community Living Greater Sudbury, the Royal Canadian Legion Provincial Command and Lockerby Branch 564, Royal LePage, TG Innerselves Sudbury/SACY, and the YMCA of Northeastern Ontario to this powerhouse of partners.”
“The addition of these well-established and respected organizations allows us to move forward with planning and building using input from underserved groups in our population that include Newcomers, Veterans, Indigenous peoples, those living with disabilities, and the 2SLGBTQ+, In addition, our alignment with Community Builders will help to promote skilled trade development for our city’s vulnerable populations,” concludes Cullen.
“It is only through a comprehensive, collaborative community approach that we will be successful in creating a long-term housing solution in our community,” states Sherry Salo, Executive Director for Community Living Greater Sudbury. These sentiments are echoed by Helen Francis, CEO of the YMCA of Northeastern Ontario.
“The ability to access housing, particularly home ownership, is a vital determinant of social health and fundamental to building a healthy, resilient community,” adds Carly Gasparini of Community Builders, “Solving the affordable housing crisis will only happen when we work together and think creatively.”
The Our House | Notre Maison concept sees the completion of custom modular homes going beyond the traditional Habitat for Humanity build model, while maintaining focus on its vision of a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. The coalition continues to welcome community and build partners, as well as those with the capacity for land donation.
Organizations looking to become involved may contact Michael Cullen directly at mcullen@habitatgatewaynorth.com or 705-929-9892
About Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North
Amalgamated in 2016, Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North is a not-for-profit organization working toward a world where everyone has a safe, suitable, and affordable place to call home. Habitat for Humanity brings communities together to help families build strength, stability, and independence through affordable housing. With the help of government organizations, charitable foundations, local businesses, individual community members, volunteers, and other Habitat partners we provide a solid foundation for better, healthier lives in our service area, in Canada, and around the world. Our region serves communities across central and northern Ontario, including North Simcoe County, Muskoka, Parry Sound, Nipissing, Greater Sudbury and Cochrane. Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity Canada, which was established in 1985.
To date, across Canada, Habitat for Humanity has helped thousands of families in need of a hand up. Across the globe, Habitat for Humanity has grown to become a leading global not-for-profit working in more than 70 countries. For more information visit www.habitatgatewaynorth.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Pictured Back Row L-R: Dan Leduc, Collège Boréal; Kimberley Woodcock, Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North; Liesel Franklin, City of Greater Sudbury; Bailey Chabot, City of Greater Sudbury; April Machum, 3rdLine.Studio; Angèle Dmytruk, 3rdLine.Studio; Rita OLink, TG Innerselves Sudbury/SACY; Kim Rumley, Community Living Greater Sudbury; Sherry Salo, Community Living Greater Sudbury; Keri Grant, Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North; Kary McConnell, YMCA of Northeastern Ontario; Paul Kusnierczyk, Royal LePage; Sherry Culling, Legion Provincial Command Front Row L-R: Michael Cullen, Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North; Karsh Singh, Soublière Constructors.; Jennifer Huard, Lockerby Legion Branch 564; Carly Gasparini, Community Builders
Absent: Melissa Riou, City of Greater Sudbury; Mike Ladyk, 3rdLine.Studio; Andre Clement, Community Member
For more information:
Michael Cullen
Director of Community Partnerships, Greater Sudbury and Sudbury District
Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North
(705) 929-9892