Barata to take over reins of Habitat for Humanity

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New leader to take Habitat for Humanity on a path to deliver more affordable homes

Habitat For Humanity Canada will have a new boss next month when Pedro Barata assumes the role of president and CEO.

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He replaces Julia Deans, who announced her resignation late last year, and plans to leave the organization at the end of June.

Currently the executive director of the Future Skills Centre, a hub that helps job seekers and employers in Canada navigate labour changes, he said he and Deans are already working together, adding that she has “been so generous in terms of connecting me with other people in this movement and also sharing background information.”

“She is an immense asset, and I am sure that she will remain so even after I assume the reins and try to fill her big shoes.”

The announcement of his appointment was made last month and in a release Riccardo Trecroce, chair of the organization’s said Barata has “dedicated his entire career to driving systemic long-term improvement on key social and economic initiatives, including poverty reduction and housing policy reform.

 “His ability to engage diverse groups and lead cross-sectoral collaborations to benefit communities in need makes him ideally suited to lead the federation as Habitat for Humanity Canada plays its part in addressing the housing crisis.”

Barata, who officially takes over on June 24, described Habitat for Humanity in an interview as an organization that is “very tangible in terms of taking big and complex issues and mobilizing communities to provide tangible solutions on the ground.

“We need a whole lot more of that in Canada right now. We need to ramp up our efforts to deliver frankly, a bigger impact faster. The best way to do that is to mobilize communities, donors, and governments all in a common cause, and, and go after those goals. And try as hard as we can to get back to a place where everybody has access to an affordable place to live.”

In terms of the GTA, the 2023 Year In Review produced by the Greater Toronto division of Habitat For Humanity, states that “tragically, for those living in the GTA, the cost of putting a roof over your head is far beyond what most people with decent jobs can afford. Rent is now a whopping $3,400 for a two-bedroom apartment in Toronto.

“It takes Torontonians earning the median annual income 25 years to save for a down payment for a home. And 60 per cent of residents in the GTA worry about sacrificing their basic needs – like food, clothing, living essentials, and education – to afford rent or mortgage payments.

“For all these reasons, we at Habitat for Humanity GTA are working harder than ever before to be the affordable housing provider our cities need, and be a part of the solution to the housing affordability crisis.”

Current plans for this year include:

• The completion of a community at 485 Normandy Dr. in Oshawa that will include 50 homes – 26 Habitat homes and 24 affordable rentals operated by partner Durham Region Non-Profit Housing Corporation.
• In Toronto, completion of 20 Habitat homes at 423 Old Weston Rd; 10  homes at 500 Wilson Ave. and one Habitat home at 1926 Lakeshore Ave. W.
• In Brampton, collaborating with developer partners it plans to deliver two Habitat homes at 50 Sky Harbor and one Habitat home at 1360 Bovaird Dr.
• Also in Brampton, construction of 12 Habitat homes at 25 William St. is scheduled to start.

According to a spokesperson for Habitat for Humanity, in the GTA, the organization, “is on a path to deliver more affordable homes in the next five years than our previous 10.”