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who we are

Home > Who We Are

Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North is one of 1,400 Habitat for Humanity affiliates worldwide sharing a common vision and social purpose.

our vision

A world where everyone has a safe and suitable place to live.

our mission

We bring communities together to help families build strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable housing and equity building programs.

our values

Our actions and work together are guided by our values: integrity, accountability, compassion, community, and determination. We rely on all our team members to work according to these values, which are vital to our collective community impact.

Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North

Amalgamated in 2014, 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.
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ReStore

In support of our homebuilding, we operate retail home improvement stores called Habitat ReStore. Our 5 locations across our region sell new and used donated home furnishings, appliances, and renovation materials to the public at a fraction of the original price. Habitat ReStore collects donations from the community, and proceeds from sales help cover the cost to build Habitat homes.

Find a ReStore near you
Learn more about ReStore

Territorial acknowledgment

Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North acknowledges that our Affiliate Office in Bracebridge sits on the traditional territory of the Anishnaabeg, specifically, the Ojibway and Chippewa Peoples. We recognize that there have been Indigenous Peoples who have cared for and stewarded this land for generations. We would further like to recognize the connection and contributions of all First Nations, Metis, Inuit, unceded First Nations, and Indigenous Peoples. We acknowledge that we are all treaty people. We accept our responsibility to honour all our relations, as we strengthen ties with the communities we serve and work to build a future where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. Click here to view our service area.

our history

Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976 in Americus, Georgia by Millard and Linda Fuller and has since spread to 70 countries around the world. The ongoing involvement of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn, through the Jimmy Carter Work Project that began in 1984, has brought wide-spread global awareness to our organization and its work.

Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North was established in 2014 through an amalgamation of five separate Habitat affiliate organizations – Habitat for Humanity North Simcoe, Orillia/Lake Country, Muskoka, North Bay and Blue Sky Region and Sudbury, as well as the Parry Sound Adopt-A-Home Project. Like all Habitat for Humanity affiliates in Canada, Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North is an independently governed, non-profit corporation with an affiliate agreement with Habitat for Humanity Canada.

The first Habitat ReStore began in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1991 and the concept has since grown to include hundreds of locations across Canada and the U.S. Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North operates ReStores in Bracebridge, Huntsville, Midland, Orillia and Sudbury.

our core principals

With a little help we all have the potential to stand on our own. A Habitat home is a strong foundation for a family – an opportunity on which they can build a better life

Strong and stable homes help build strong and stable communities. Habitat works to eliminate barriers to a better, healthier, more financially stable life

Habitat homeowners receive financial education, help build their houses and pay an affordable mortgage. Habitat homeowners are active. Proactive, not passive. Investing, not receiving.

Affordable housing is a foundation for reducing poverty and achieving economic growth. With potential to positively impact a wider range of larger societal issues.

how it all works

Through our unique affordable home ownership program, we offer families a hand up, empowering them to build strength, stability, and self-reliance.

Families purchase an affordable home from Habitat for Humanity, with no down payment required

Since families wouldn’t qualify for a conventional mortgage, we provide a Habitat for Humanity mortgage that removes the barriers to home ownership.

We offer a mortgage with zero interest so that families can maximize the equity they build.

Mortgage payments are calculated annually, so that families never pay more than 25% of household income on shelter costs.

As part of their partnership with Habitat for Humanity, families contribute 500 volunteer hours helping build their home, other Habitat homes, or helping in our ReStores.

Every family attends financial education workshops to prepare themselves for first-time home ownership

As soon as a family starts to pay off their mortgage, Habitat for Humanity puts those dollars to work helping build the next home for the next family. As families pay off their mortgages, donor dollars are reinvested and used by Habitat for Humanity to build more homes for working, lower income families in our community.

We partner with a wide range of community and faith groups in our work to strengthen and build up families and communities. From community build days to hosting community fundraising events, there are many ways to make a contribution through partnering with Habitat for Humanity.