JUNE 2024

On April 23, 2024, Homes For Heroes Foundation announced a $1.5 million donation from BMO – a long-time supporter of the Canadian Armed Forces and Canadian Veterans.

Representatives from both organizations were on hand at The Royal Canadian Military Institute in Toronto to make the announcement.

We are thrilled to begin a partnership with BMO in support of our charity’s mission to end the issue of Veteran homelessness. BMO is a global company with a proven commitment to our military community and today’s announcement will go a long way in helping us achieve our mission,” noted Brad Field, President and CEO of Homes For Heroes Foundation.

“As the Official Bank of the Canadian Defence Community, BMO is proud to partner with the Homes For Heroes Foundation and help accelerate the Foundation’s National Veterans’ Village Program,” 

said Gayle Ramsay, Head, Everyday Banking, Segment & CustomerGrowth, BMO. “This partnership is inspired by our Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, and supports our commitment to a more inclusive society by expanding the social services and housing that help veterans successfully transition back to civilian life.”

“Veterans Affairs Canada has proudly supported the Homes For Heroes Foundation through the Veterans and Family Well-Being Fund, with over $1.7 million in support since 2019. This support helps Homes For Heroes’ Veterans’ Villages to deliver tailored and personalized services to Veterans, all while providing them with a safe and affordable place to call home,” said the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence. “Working with our partners is one of the ways we can ensure the physical, mental, and economic well-being of Veterans and their families. BMO’s commitment today shows that, through strong partnerships and collaboration, we can make a significant difference for Veterans and their families across the country.”

“Veterans Affairs Canada has proudly supported the Homes For Heroes Foundation through the Veterans and Family Well-Being Fund, with over $1.7 million in support since 2019. This support helps Homes For Heroes’ Veterans’ Villages to deliver tailored and personalized services to Veterans, all while providing them with a safe and affordable place to call home,” said the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence. “Working with our partners is one of the ways we can ensure the physical, mental, and economic well-being of Veterans and their families. BMO’s commitment today shows that, through strong partnerships and collaboration, we can make a significant difference for Veterans and their families across the country.”

Homes For Heroes Foundation has Veteran villages in Calgary, Edmonton, and Kingston. Our fourth Veterans’ village is scheduled to be built in Winnipeg in the community of Transcona. “Our typical Veterans’ village has 20 tiny homes, a resource center, social worker offices, recreation space and community gardens. I believe the key to our success is providing the necessary social support services required for our unhoused Veterans to move on from the village towards employment and more permanent housing,” noted Mr. Field.

The association between BMO and the soldiers who have defended this country both in times of peace and war has been a long and historic one. During the Second World War, BMO established temporary branches to pay troops at various encampments throughout Canada and abroad. Overseas, Canadian military personnel were paid through its Waterloo Place office in London, England. Additionally, The Bank’s president George Spinney took a leave of absence and headed the National War Finance Committee, which oversaw the sales of Victory Loan bonds.

Travis also managed the Safe Consumption Site in Kingston Ontario before joining H4HF. Prior to his service with the Correctional Services of Canada, Travis was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces as a Signals Intelligence Specialist.

While it might seem slow (at least it does for us!), things are progressing with our planned Village in Winnipeg.  We now (finally!) have title to the site property; we have removed the excess dirt on the property as required by the City and have fenced off the site in preparation of site construction work.

Requests for Proposals have been disseminated for the design team members.  Once their work is done, we will be able to move on to the selection of the tiny home builder and the site construction manager.

In the meanwhile, we are having promising conversations with the Province of Ontario and municipalities in London, Hamilton, Toronto and Barrie as well as other cities across Canada.  We look forward to keeping you informed.

Carpet One Floor & Home is the Canadian extension of their parent company – the largest distributor of flooring in North America.  Their outlets in the United States have been supporting first responders in the U.S. through The Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a charitable organization founded in tribute to New York Fire Department firefighter Stephen Siller, who was killed on September 11, 2001, during the September 11 attacks. 

The Canadian members have chosen Homes For Heroes Foundation as their charity of choice in Canada and have donated the flooring and kitchen backsplash materials for all the buildings in both our Edmonton and Kingston Villages, as well as through cash donations raised by individual outlets.

Carpet One has now set a goal to fully sponsor a Veteran’s home in every Village built by Homes For Heroes, starting with Winnipeg – needless to say, we couldn’t be more pleased or grateful!  Thank you again Carpet One!