Montreal, April 14th, 2005   Habitat for Humanity Montreal announced today the opening of the first Habitat ReStore in Quebec, more precisely in the LaSalle borough of Montreal.

Habitat ReStores are construction material liquidation stores that sell quality used materials and discontinued products. These materials are supplied by distributors, retailers, manufacturers, construction and renovation companies, as well as individuals participating in Habitat for Humanity's mission. The profits from the sale of these goods go towards Habitat for Humanity's mission, i.e. the construction of decent, affordable homes for low-income families.

There are 39 ReStores across Canada (http://www.habitat.ca/restoresc3.php). In 2004, these stores generated sales of $12.6 million, returning profits of $5.3 million to Habitat affiliates across Canada. ReStores reduce the amount of construction waste that is incinerated or buried, thereby contributing to a reduction of greenhouse- gas emissions.

In 2004, Restores recycled 8,500 tons of building materials that would have otherwise gone to local dumping grounds. A study of 24 ReStores in Canada revealed that one store recycles on average 22 tons of material every month.

To launch the first ReStore in Quebec, Habitat for Humanity Montreal will benefit from a $41,000 grant from Environment Canada's EcoAction program, a financial help program destined to community organisations whose projects impact the environment, notably by reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.

Habitat for Humanity Montreal will also receive a $40,000 grant from the Social Economy Fund of LaSalle's Economic Development Corporation (CDEL). In so doing, the CDEL is supporting the creation of long-term jobs on its territory and the start-up of a company that will fill community needs, in this case affordable housing for low-income families. The project has been submitted to the Québec Entrepreneurship Contest (http://www.concours-entrepreneur.org/) that CDEL co-ordinates in the borough of LaSalle.