Founder and President of Canada’s Largest Private Affordable Housing Provider wins City Builder award from the Canadian Urban Institute

TORONTO, December 3, 2015 – Social entrepreneur and founder of Options for Homes (“Options”), Mike Labbé, has won the 2015 City Builder award from the Canadian Urban Institute.  This Urban Leadership award, along with several other awards will be presented at the Urban + Leadership Day to be held Friday, December 4^th at Artscape Sandbox.

The award recognizes an individual's ability to translate a bold vision into actions that have a long-term impact on city building.  “I am deeply grateful to be recognized by the Canadian Urban Institute as a City Builder,” says Labbé.  “Options’ work has only just begun.  Toronto is our base, and we plan to continue to strengthen and grow our work here while taking the model abroad to providing housing in places where it’s badly needed.  We believe now more than ever it’s critical to work collaboratively to address our affordability crisis.”

This award will be accepted by Options for Homes’ newly appointed CEO, Heather Tremain who joined the company earlier in 2015 to support growth plans in Toronto and beyond.  Tremain will sit on a panel of award winners following the presentation to speak on behalf of Labbé who is presently in Africa furthering Options’ work in affordable housing globally.

Urban + Leadership Day and the 12^th Annual Urban Leadership Awards will also feature a morning panel with the City of Toronto’s Chief Planner Jennifer Keesmaat, Chief of Police Mark Saunders, Medical Officer of Health Dr. David McKeown, City Librarian Vickery Bowles, and will be facilitated by CBC Metro Morning’s Mary Wiens.

Date:                           Friday, December 4^th at 8:00 am

Location:                    Artscape Sandbox, 301 Adelaide Street West, Toronto, ON

                               

Award Ceremony:     11:00 a.m.

Media Contact:

Jessica Speziale

Marketing Coordinator

Options for Homes

416-867-1501 ext. 224

jspeziale@optionsforhomes.ca

Options for Homes is a non-profit organization and Canada’s largest delivery agent of affordable home ownership.  Now in its 21^st year, it creates ownership opportunities for households with incomes as low as $25,000.00 per year.  From the first development in Toronto’s Distillery District, to a new development under construction in Cameroon, Africa, Options organizations have created homes for over 6500 households using a unique housing model. Options Toronto is about to break ground on two new projects that, together, will enable 525 families the opportunity to own their own homes in the next few years. www.optionsforhomes.ca

Options President and Founder, Mike Labbé, won the Canadian Urban Institute's Local Hero Award in 2008.