ANNUAL REPORT 2011 | Habitat For Humanity Greater Vancouver
ANNUAL REPORT 2011
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ANNUAL REPORT 2011 | Habitat For Humanity Greater Vancouver
CONTENTS 5 ............... Vision, Mission, Values 6 ............... From the Chair 7 ............... From the CEO 9 ............... The Habitat Model 12 ............... Partner Families 14 ............... 8745 Government Street 15 ............... 60 W. Cordova Street 16 ............... Volunteers 18 ............... ReStore 19 ............... Global Village 20 ............... Sponsors and Donors 22 ............... Financial Summary
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BUILDING HOMES. BUILDING HOPE.
ANNUAL REPORT 2011 | Habitat For Humanity Greater Vancouver
MISSION To mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty.
VISION A world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live.
VALUES • HOUSING FOR ALL: We believe that access to safe, decent and affordable housing is a basic human right that should be available to all. • HUMAN DIGNITY: We believe in the worth and dignity of every human being. We respect the people we serve and those that help us in this effort and recognize them as our greatest resource. • PARTNERSHIP: We believe we can best achieve our mission through meaningful and mutually beneficial partnerships with others. • FAITH IN ACTION: We believe that faith is lived through action. Building on our Christian foundation, we serve and work with people of all faiths and beliefs in a spirit of justice and compassion. • DIVERSITY & INCLUSIVENESS: We believe there is a role for everyone committed to our vision, mission and values and we seek to enrich our organization through diversity.
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FROM THE CHAIR The closing of 2011 saw renewed energy, focus and change for Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver. The overall global economy is still trying to find its footing and direction, with Euro communities struggling under their debt obligations and banking crisis, to where we are seeing an improving situation south of our border. As a result of this overall uncertainty, corporate donations were down for the year as well as individual ones. However, the Board of Directors is excited with the hiring of a new CEO to the group Tim Wake, who has added new energy and focus to the Team. The Board has seen the addition of several new board members that were elected at our last AGM, and they bring renewed focus and commitment to your board. One of the key successes of Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver is our ReStore program. The two ReStores, located in Burnaby and Vancouver, have been very successful, much in part due to the donations that the ReStore relies on, the endless volunteer hours and of course the dedicated staff that keep it all running. The board is excited to be looking at a third ReStore opening and is viewing several possibilities. The ReStores continue to promote sustainable community by recycling new and used items that would normally find their way into the landfill. So please continue to tell your friends, family and colleagues to visit a ReStore and support not only a great charity, but to do something positive for the environment. Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver along with Vancity, The Vancity Foundation, the City of Vancouver and Westbank Projects Corp. are excited to announce a collaboration on a project at 60 West Cordova, that is home to 4 new Habitat partner families. This is an exciting and wonderful example of a developer and the City of Vancouver, as well as Vancity, coming together to address affordable housing. In closing and with 2012 well underway, I am still moved by the generosity of our volunteers, the great support from our corporate community, the wonderful staff at our ReStores, the staff at the office that keep the day to day activities going, it is all very impressive to see the passion. I am excited about the future and I thank everyone for the continued support.
John L. Bennett Chair
ANNUAL REPORT 2011 | Habitat For Humanity Greater Vancouver
CEO’S MESSAGE We all love the City of Vancouver for its lifestyle, climate and livability. Not surprisingly, this multicultural port city was voted the best place in North America to live, according to a survey released by Mercer Consulting Outsourcing Investments in November of last year. However, it was also the most expensive city in Canada to live, before being surpassed by Toronto earlier this year. When it comes to housing however, Vancouver still tops other cities in North America in housing prices (2011 Coldwell Banker Study). We all deal with the high cost of housing, but it is particularly acute for families and individuals of low and moderate incomes—the very people that Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver has pledged to help. Assisting modest-income families to help build and then own their own home remains the core of our work at HFHGV. We are working with the Provincial and Municipal Governments, as well as the private sector development community, to find creative and innovative solutions. We put five families into townhomes at 8745 Government Street in Burnaby in 2011, and plan to put 10 families in homes in 2012 – four families at 60 West Cordova Street in Downtown Vancouver, and six families in the last phase of our 27-unit Burnaby project. As we all know, Habitat for Humanity relies on its committed volunteer base. Our ReStore locations and our home building sites are staffed with dedicated people from ages 16 to 75, who passionately believe in the work we are doing. We also acknowledge the critical role of our donors, corporate partners and the businesses that provide monetary and in-kind donations to our ReStore outlets and build sites. After attending the recent Habitat for Humanity Canada Annual General Conference in Regina, it was apparent that the growth in corporate support, volunteerism and in the housing stock in Canada has been steady and, in some cities, very exciting. The Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver affiliate in Edmonton has been particularly successful and received an award for its work with Aboriginal communities. It is perhaps worthwhile to reiterate the four strategic drivers for Habitat for Humanity Canada: RESOURCES: By the end of 2016, Habitat for Humanity Canada will raise sufficient cash and gifts to build an additional 700 homes over and above the 1,125 homes in the status quo expectations. NATIONAL REALIGNMENT: Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver will be active in more markets, serving 85 percent of the Canadian population and will include a significant presence in Quebec. LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE: By the end of 2016, Habitat for Humanity will have highly qualified professional staff and executive leadership in place. All Boards will be strategic, policy oriented, higher performing and skills-based. BRANDING: Habitat for Humanity will be recognized by the Canadian public as the leading voice supporting affordable home ownership. These are important objectives nationally. While it will always be a challenge operating in Canada’s third-largest metropolitan area with the most expensive land and housing costs in the country, Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver needs to be focused on these same core strengths moving forward. We have a capable team, many great community and corporate partners and plenty of opportunities to pursue in the next few years. Thank you for your ongoing and continued support.
Tim Wake CEO, Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver
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ANNUAL REPORT 2011 | Habitat For Humanity Greater Vancouver
THE HABITAT MODEL Habitat’s homeownership program reduces the barriers to homeownership for individuals and families in financially vulnerable situations. Our model is one of partnership, where families become part of their own housing solution by building and purchasing their own homes.
Habitat Homes are: • Constructed using donated funds, materials and labour • Sold to partner families with a no-downpayment, interest-free mortgage • Payments are set at 30% of household income • Helping additional families as mortgage payments are reinvested into more affordable housing
BUILD
BUY
Home buyers build homes with donated materials & labour
Home buyers purchase homes with favourable financing terms
HOME OWNER SELECTION, TRAINING & SUPPORT
REINVEST
All mortgage payments are reinvested back into the program
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ANNUAL REPORT 2011 | Habitat For Humanity Greater Vancouver
HOW HABITAT MODEL WORKS HOW THE HABITAT MODEL WORKS 1. We identify and work with lower-income family partners who would not be eligible to qualify for a traditional mortgage. 2. Through individual, community, and corporate donations of money, materials and labour, we work with these families to build their home. 3. We sell the home at market value as determined by an independent third party. There is no down-payment and the mortgage is interest-free. 4. Mortgage payments are based on family income rather than property value and are reviewed annually. Monthly payments are capped at no more than 30 percent of the families’ gross household income. 5. Mortgages are held by Habitat until the mortgage is paid off. Mortgage payments are reinvested back into building homes for new families which makes Habitat a self- sustaining, permanent, and tangible solution for affordable housing.
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PARTNER FAMILIES Family Selection Criteria Families must meet three basic criteria to be considered eligible for selection: 1. Need for affordable housing – the family must be living in inadequate rental housing which is too expensive, too small, unsafe, or substandard; 2. Ability to repay a Habitat mortgage – requires that the family has a stable income sufficient to cover the monthly mortgage payments and other expenses that come with home ownership; overall family income must fall between predetermined minimums and maximums based on family size; and 3. Willingness to partner with Habitat – families receive the keys to their home once they have performed 500 hours of sweat equity. This is a mandatory requirement which serves to build self-esteem, pride of ownership, and a feeling of community.
How Partner Families are Chosen Each family is required to complete a detailed application form, which is then reviewed by our Family Selection Committee, a staff-supported group of volunteers who represent all aspects of society. Their backgrounds can include healthcare, education and social services so they bring knowledge of the various challenges faced by families in lower-income situations.
This year, we’ve expanded our range of families to individuals, expectant couples, and single mothers with one child. We’re moving from our traditional 3 bedroom townhouses to 1 and 2 bedroom condos at 60 West Cordova. We’re putting families into safe, decent, modest, and affordable housing in downtown Vancouver. We’re doing this to address the challenges of the high cost of living in urban areas of our city. These families have been heavily involved in community activities in the downtown eastside, and Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver is proud to be a part of this community with them. Committee members interview the family in their home and communicate with the landlord and employers. References provided by the family are checked and family finances and credit ratings are carefully reviewed. Once selected, an agreement is signed and the family is required to volunteer 500 hours of sweat equity before they are eligible to purchase their home.
ANNUAL REPORT 2011 | Habitat For Humanity Greater Vancouver
We offer many ways to complete the sweat equity hours including helping in the ReStore, assisting in fundraising efforts, labouring on someone else’s home and, of course, working on their own home. Families are required to attend workshops to help them learn about the responsibilities of home ownership. The program covers topics such as setting goals, budgeting, use of credit, problem solving and how to be part of a strata. It is designed to prepare the family for the financial, property and community responsibilities that come with owning a home. How the Habitat Program Benefits Partner Families and the Larger Community • Over time, a families’ equity in their home increases. Habitat families can often see an improvement in their financial situation since the percentage of their income being spent on housing remains around 25-30 percent. Prior to purchasing a Habitat home many of these families spend over 50-70 percent of their income on rent. • A safe, healthy living environment contributes to the positive growth and development of the family. There are many examples of Habitat families becoming healthier, completing further post-secondary education and establishing successful careers. • Communities benefit as former renters become homeowners who contribute to the tax base. Habitat projects also offer an opportunity for community members, of all walks of life, to come together and work side by side in a meaningful way. • Pride of ownership leads to a renewed sense of confidence, and along with their stable, long-term housing arrangement, they become long-term contributors to the community and the local economy.
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PHASE 5 FAMILIES MOVE IN AT GOVERNMENT STREET 2011 saw five hard-working Habitat partner families move into their new homes in Burnaby. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard between 2010 and 2011 to get the construction done on these very special homes, now totaling 21 units at 8745 Government Street. 12 children now have a better life, thanks to new addition of safe, decent and affordable homes in the Burnaby community.
ANNUAL REPORT 2011 | Habitat For Humanity Greater Vancouver
A NEW MODEL:
60 W. CORDOVA STREET 60 West Cordova came out of a partnership with Westbank, Vancity, and the Vancity Foundation to help address affordable housing in urban Metro Vancouver. This special innovative project allowed Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver to close on four units and allow three Habitat partner families to move into one and two-bedroom condos.
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VOLUNTEERS Build Site Construction In 2011, 429 volunteers from all walks of life contributed 10, 788 volunteer hours. They joined together for the single purpose of providing safe, decent and affordable housing for lower-income working families. Our volunteers provide the majority of the labour for the overall construction of each home. Although we use professionals for some aspects of building, we are fortunate that many trades donate their services. Not only do individual volunteers make a difference; through financial sponsorship, corporate groups are provided the opportunity to help construct homes at our Burnaby build site. These Sponsor-A-Build Days are a great way for co-workers, colleagues and/or clients to come together as a team, partner with Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver and to make a difference in the lives of families, which all contributes to a healthy community. Similar build site opportunities are available for nonprofit organizations, professional associations, post secondary and high schools, and faith-based groups. All teams report having a rewarding and fun experience!
Board of Directors and Committees Our Board of Directors volunteer their expertise and time to provide strategic direction to the organization. There are also several committees such as Family Selection and Family Partnering, which bring a range of skills, life experiences and vision to successful help Habitat Partner Families. Board of Directors: John Bennett — President, Member of Executive Committee
Elizabeth Huntsman
Lori Benning— Secretary, Member of Executive Committee
Debbie Johnson
Joanne Campbell— Vice President, Member of Executive
Gary Kroeker
Committee and Family Selection Committee
Karen Cooper
Jim Lippert
Bill Dyer
Winnie Shi - Treasurer, Member of Executive Committee
Oliver Hamilton
Wayne Stewart Glen Tracey
OUR DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS ARE THE BEAT AND PULSE OF OUR ORGANIZATION.
ANNUAL REPORT 2011 | Habitat For Humanity Greater Vancouver
VOLUNTEERS ReStore In 2011, over 200 local ReStore volunteers contributed 11, 481 hours working in all aspects of a retail environment, including customer service, cash counter and materials receiving, sorting and preparation. All the hard work and dedication of the staff and volunteers paid off—ReStore revenues increased by 2 percent in 2011. In June, ReStores reached the milestone of their Canadian 20th anniversary; and, in metropolitan Vancouver, we celebrated with activities, special guests such as Shell Busey and, of course, cake! Since 1991, ReStore proceeds have helped provide homes for sale to families in need of affordable housing across Canada. Through the sale of donated new and gently-used home décor and renovation products, ReStores have supported all or the majority of the administration costs of the nonprofit societies, thus allowing all other contributions to go toward the cost of building homes.
Office Last year, office volunteers spent 250 hours assisting with data entry, filing, photocopying and recycling. As well, interns contributed many months of work assisting with research, fundraising, events, communications and donor relations. To honour and recognize the contribution of all our volunteers, we held our annual summer Volunteer Appreciation BBQ at the New Life Community Church beside the Burnaby build site. After the delicious meal, we were invited to tour the completed Phase 5 homes… a moving experience. Festive holiday parties in December at both the Burnaby and Vancouver ReStores helped top off a year of planning and change and fan the flames of enthusiasm and anticipation for 2012 – a year to grow and build. Thanks very much to all of you, our valued volunteers. We truly appreciate your efforts and hard work throughout 2011 and your continuing commitment for the productive years to come. We couldn’t do it without you!
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ReStore ReStore revenues finance our administrative costs and contribute much-needed support to our building program. Every time a customer makes a purchase from either of our ReStores, they are assisting us in building Habitat homes. Customers from all walks of life – contractors, builders, designers, home owners and fixer-uppers – come to our store and find great deals every day. Our regular customers can attest that there is something new to discover on a daily basis. The ReStores sell quality new and used building supplies, appliances, and assorted home dÊcor items at a fraction of retail cost. Items are donated by local retailers, manufacturers, home owners and movie productions. We are very appreciative of these donations and the support we receive from our community. Donating to and shopping at the ReStores helps Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver build safe, decent, affordable homes for working families in our community, while diverting tonnes of material from entering the landfill. Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver operates two ReStores. The original store at 2475 Douglas Road in Burnaby, and a 20,000 square foot site, located at 69 West 69th Ave in Vancouver.
ANNUAL REPORT 2011 | Habitat For Humanity Greater Vancouver
INTERNATIONAL WORK: GLOBAL VILLAGE As part of our commitment to developing countries and empowering local economies, we contribute a portion of the donations we receive to assist the building of international home-building. In 2011, we contributed over $3,670 to this fantastic program. In addition, we encourage, assist and support local groups and individuals to participate in the Canadian Global Village program, which sends teams abroad to volunteer to build Habitat housing around the globe. In 2011, teams including high school students, went to Maui, Nepal, and Costa Rica to build safe, decent housing for families in need.
RESTORES DIVERT 600 TONS OF WASTE FROM LANDFILLS EACH YEAR
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SPONSORS & DONORS Lead Sponsors: BC Housing The Home Depot Canada Delta Hotels & Resorts The Real Estate Foundation of BC
Major Sponsors:
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation BC Hydro Citi Financial and Citi Foundation eBay Foundation Genworth Financial MCAP Mackenzie Financial RBC Foundation Vancity Vancity Foundation Westbank Projects Corp.
Sponsors: ACM advisors Ltd.
Goldcorp Inc.
NYK Logistics
Air Canada Jazz
Gordon Food Services Inc.
Olympic Industries
Albion Fisheries
Great-West Life Assurance Company
Omni Corporation
Band of Brokers
GUESS Canada Corporation
Rio Tinto Alcan
Barrick Gold
Herman Miller
Robert L. Conconi Foundation
BC Rehab Foundation
HomeStars
SAP Business Objects
Best Buy Canada
Ideaca Knowledge Services
St. Martin’s Anglican Church
Bosa Development Corporation
Interior Design Institute of BC
SNC Lavalin O&M
Commonwealth Insurance
International Facility Management Association
T-Lane Transportation & Logistics
International Union of Operating Engineers
TD Carbon Offset program
Community Savings Credit Union CSA International DP World Canada Inc. Deloitte & Touche Easy Care Restoration Eureka Camp Society FCT Insurance Company Ltd. First Canadian Tile Fluor Canada Frank & Yvonne McCracken Foundation Global Collective Design
Investors Group Financial Services Jazz Air LP JP Morgan Chase Keith Roy Klondike Contracting Marcon Construction Nissan Canada Norsat International Inc.
TD Canada Trust TELUS Team TELUS Cares Teekay Corporation Wayne Helfrich Wells Fargo Financial Corporation Westminster Savings Credit Union Whirlpool Canada ZLC Foundation
ANNUAL REPORT 2011 | Habitat For Humanity Greater Vancouver
SPONSORS & DONORS Supporters & Gift in Kind 3R Demolition Corp.
ANIZCO Hotel Furniture Liquidators
Homelife Banchmark Realty Cloverdale
All Weather Windows
HSBC Canada
B.A. Robinson Co. Ltd.
IATSE Local 891
Beatty Floors
Inventa Sales & Promotions
Sheet Metal Workers’ Local Union No. 280
Best Coast Real Estate Inc.
Kareem Allam
Sherri Belcourt Coupland
Bob Hissink
LaFarge Canada Inc.
Alan White
Homestead House Paint Co.
Armtec
HYDRECS Fund
BC Plumbing Supplies
IBEW Local Union 213
Becky Leopold
IPEX Inc.
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Irly Distributors Ltd.
Boma BC Building Owners & Managers Association
Leviton Canada
Butler Marketing
Maple Leaf Disposal Ltd.
Burritt Brothers
C.R. Laurence Co. of Canada Centra Windows Ltd.
Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating
Canadian Network of asset Managers Association Canadian Office & Prof. Employees Union – Local 378 Cascade Aqua Tec
Colliers International Concert Properties Corinne Fulton
Corbel Commercial Inc.
DBA Newton Omniplex Industrial Centre
Mainland Sand & Gravel Ltd. Macdonald Realty Ltd.
Maple Ridge Communications Margot MacLaren
Marketplace Events
Metris Distribution Services
Sage Software Inc.
Sauder Industries Ltd.
Sauder School of Business
Sawarne Lumber Company Ltd. Schneider Electric Canada
Shaw Communications Inc.
Shelly Smee
St. George’s School St. John’s School
Standard Building Supplies
Stargate Universe Productions II Inc. Sue Walster
Supernatural 5 Films Inc. Taymor Industries
TelusBTTO Process Improvement Center of Excellence The Dow Chemical Company
Motion Picture Production Industry Association of BC
The Group Connect Ltd.
Nelvin Schmidt
United Way of the Lower Mainland
MyGardenBag.com
New Life Community Church Nilex Community Fund Norburn Lighting Owen’s Corning Oliver Chee
Organic Matters Landscaping
Daniel Hartford Scarrow
Peterson Investment Group Inc.
Euro-Rite Cabinets Ltd.
Robinson Lighting & Bath Centre
Evergreen
Rogers Broadcasting
GSW Water Heating
Roofing Contractors Association of BC
Eaton Corporation
Radec Group
Eve Stambler
Roger Wong
Fred Shaw
Rona 145 Squamish
Home Idol Building Supplies
RR Donelly
Tony Tang
UFCW Local 247 Training & Education University of British Columbia Value Property Group
Vancity Regional Grants Committee Vancouver International Airport Vancouver Opera
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Ventana Construction Corporation Walrus Design
Windsor Plywood Wolseley
WorkSafe BC
York House School
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FINANCIAL SUMMARY HABITAT’S REVENUES
Sale of constructed properties ReStore Revenue Interest Contributions, Grants and Donations
HABITAT’S EXPENDITURES
Cost of Constructed Properties Sold Administration
Fundraising Expenses and Depreciation ReStore Operations
HABITAT’S ASSETS Mortgages Receivable Equipment
Property under Construction
Cash and Term Deposits
ANNUAL REPORT 2011 | Habitat For Humanity Greater Vancouver
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
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(693,771) *
(311,312)
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69 W. 69th Avenue Vancouver, BC V5X 2W6 Phone: 604.681.5618 Fax: 604.326.0122 Email: info@habitatgv.ca www.habitatgv.ca facebook.com/hfhvancouver twitter.com/hfhgv_ReStore flickr.com/photos/hfhgv
VANCOUVER RESTORE 69 West 69th Avenue Vancouver, BC V5X 2W6 Phone: 604.326.3055 BURNABY RESTORE 2475 Douglas Road Burnaby, BC V5C 5A9 Phone: 604.293.1898 Email: info@restoresgv.ca www.restoresgv.ca