Raising the Roof renovated a vacant single family house in North York into a safe, dignified home for young Black women who were staying in a temporary emergency youth shelter.

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The residents are supported by Eva’s Initiatives, a Toronto based agency that supports Black youth experiencing homelessness.

 

Eva's has reported that among Black Canadians:

• 12.9% were living in crowded conditions (compared to 1.1% of white Canadians)

   

• 8.4% were living in homes in need of major repairs (compared to 6.2% of white Canadians)

   

• 28.6% were living in unaffordable housing (compared to 16.1% among white Canadians) (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2020).

 

Raising the Roof is committed to making this home available to Black youth and ensuring that the youth have ongoing supports to help them achieve their goals from the base of stable, affordable housing.

Through the North York project, the social enterprise contractor, Building Up, provided hands-on training and employment to people with barriers to employment. 55 people were trained and employed through the project renovations. Of the 55, 47 of the trainees are now completing paid apprenticeships or are employed full time in the construction sector.