GUELPH, ON, June 13, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, The Co-operators announced a three-year partnership with Habitat for Humanity Wellington Dufferin Guelph. The Co-operators is providing $75,000 over three years and committing 100 employee volunteer days per year to help build affordable homes for local families in need.

The announcement was made today as a dozen Co-operators volunteers worked on Habitat for Humanity's Cityview Village development in Guelph. The three-building project will include ownership condominium units that will, when completed, be the new homes of 28 local families including seniors, people with disabilities and low-income earners.

"The partnership between The Co-operators and Habitat is an investment in the community," explains Steve Howard, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Wellington Dufferin Guelph. "Every $1 invested in Habitat yields a $4 return to society, and every family who moves into a Habitat home and is lifted out of the core-housing crisis contributes $175,000 of first and second-generation benefits to our community. This is the power of our partnership model, and the power of the hand-up."

Teams of Co-operators volunteers will be working on the first phase of the project during seven build days throughout the construction season, making use of the two paid volunteer days provided to employees by the organization. In addition to the partnership announced today in Guelph, The Co-operators has been involved in local Habitat builds in other communities and developed the ReClaim program which provides ReStores with quality materials salvaged from home insurance claims.

"As a co-operative, we're committed to helping build more equitable and sustainable communities, and partnering with Habitat for Humanity in our hometown of Guelph is one way we can do that," said Lisa Guglietti, executive vice-president and chief operating officer, P&C manufacturing at The Co-operators. "This was a natural fit for us, as both organizations share the goal of providing financial security and peace of mind for Canadian families. It is a cause that is widely supported by our employees, many of whom will use their two annual paid volunteer days to pitch in to support Habitat and families in our community."

Cityview Village is the largest construction project Habitat for Humanity has undertaken in Guelph. Phase one is a 12-unit town home that includes single as well as 2- and 3-bedroom units that will be available to qualifying families supported by no interest, no down-payment mortgages. To qualify for ownership of the homes, families must be in need of affordable housing, able to pay a modest mortgage and willing to volunteer 500 "sweat equity" hours.

About The Co-operators:
The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian co-operative with more than $41 billion in assets under administration. Through its group of companies, it offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability. The Co-operators is listed among the Best Employers in Canada by Aon Hewitt and Corporate Knights' Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada. For more information, visit www.cooperators.ca

About Habitat for Humanity Wellington Dufferin Guelph:

Expanding on our Mission to build affordable housing and promote homeownership to break the cycle of poverty, Habitat for Humanity WDG is planning to build bright, supportive and integrated communities comprised of seniors, special needs individuals, and single-and-dual parent families across our catchment area of Wellington County and Dufferin. Our first development, underway now, is Cityview Village (www.cityviewvillage.ca): 28 homes offering affordable home-ownership to low-income members of our community.

SOURCE The Co-operators