Habitat for Humanity Toronto is not only helping low-income families own affordable housing, it’s also doing its part to help build sustainable communities.

The Toronto branch of the non-profit organization, which builds cost-efficient housing for low-income families throughout the world, is hosting its Energy Star Blitz Build, a drive to build 19 environmentally-friendly homes on a parcel of land at 4200 Kingston Rd. in Scarborough.

Construction on the site began in late January. More than 1,000 volunteers worked throughout last week to complete 10 homes at the site. The other nine homes at the site are expected to be finished by Christmas.

Habitat for Humanity is on a cross-Canada drive to build Energy Star-certified homes. Energy Star is an international symbol enabling consumers to identify energy-efficient products.

Homes which are energy-efficient are more cost-effective and are less of a burden on the environment, notes Neil Hetherington, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Toronto.

“We want to build affordable housing that’s affordable not only to purchase, but to operate,” Hetherington tells Axiom News.

The 3/4-acre swath of land where the development is being built was donated by Ed Clark, president and CEO of Toronto-Dominion Bank, and his wife, Fran. It’s the largest land parcel donated in Canadian Habitat history.

The Clark’s, who Hetherington describes as having “Habitatitis,” are dedicated supporters of the organization.

The Clark’s $1.1-million donation, which made the land purchase possible, will “change the lives” of the families who move into the finished homes, says Hetherington.

Not only are these new homes more efficient in terms of the amount of energy they consume, but by keeping these homes on a small lots, Habitat is doing its part to limit urban sprawl.

“They’re not making land anymore,” says Hetherington. “We need to better steward the land, particularly in the urban centres in the country.”

Hetherington tips his hat to Habitat’s corporate partners in sustainability, including Home Depot, Direct Energy and Enbridge. These companies are big players in Habitat’s cause by encouraging their employees to volunteer, he points out.

“These are all folks who are taking their core business and expanding it into the community and allowing us to transform the lives of families,” says Hetherington.