Habitat for Humanity Canada names the first winners of the Rio Tinto Alcan Sustainable Homes programme

Rio Tinto Alcan and Habitat for Humanity Canada have named the Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Winnipeg as the first-place award winner of the Rio Tinto Alcan Sustainable Homes programme. The programme is designed to encourage Habitat for Humanity affiliates to incorporate sustainable, energy efficient components into their building projects.

"We congratulate all participating Habitat for Humanity affiliates for their success in providing affordable, environmentally friendly homes for low income families," said Jacynthe Côté, Chief executive, Rio Tinto Alcan. "In addition to reducing homeowner costs and making housing more affordable in the long term, the energy efficiency measures encouraged by the Rio Tinto Alcan Sustainable Homes programme can reduce a single household's greenhouse gas emissions by up to three tonnes per year."

The winning Habitat for Humanity Canada affiliate in Winnipeg will receive C$100,000 to go towards its continued success in building affordable, safe, and sustainable housing. In second place, the Grey-Bruce affiliate will receive C$60,000, followed by the Yukon in third place to receive C$30,000. Ten additional affiliates will receive C$1,000 including Huronia, the National Capital Region, Iqaluit, Victoria, the North Bay and Blue Sky Region, Toronto, Prince Edward-Hastings, Northumberland, Halton and Kelowna.

"The impact of utility costs is a significant one in any household budget, but for low income families, it can be a determining factor in whether or not it's realistic to keep a home," said Stewart Hardacre, President and Chief Operating Officer, Habitat for Humanity Canada. "We're thrilled that Rio Tinto Alcan can help us in our fight against 'energy poverty' through this incentive program for our Canadian affiliates."

Habitat for Humanity Canada has 72 affiliates, of which 34 registered for the program and 22 participated. Winners were selected by a committee consisting of Habitat for Humanity Canada liaisons, Rio Tinto Alcan representatives, and external consultants. Award criteria included the quality of sustainable construction methods and practices used; innovation and demonstrated creativity during project execution; and safety, health and environment initiatives.

The 2009 competition marked the first year of the Rio Tinto Alcan Sustainable Homes programme, which was preceded by the Alcan Builds on Recycling programme from 2004 to 2008.

About Habitat for Humanity Canada

Habitat for Humanity Canada is a national, non-profit, faith-based organisation working for a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. Its mission is to mobilise volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty. Habitat for Humanity Canada was founded in 1985 and consists of over 50,000 volunteers and 72 affiliate organisations from coast to coast. It is a member of Habitat for Humanity International, which spans 93 countries, has built over 300,000 homes, and is now building a new home every 10 minutes.

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Rio Tinto's business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, energy (coal and uranium), gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide, salt, talc) and iron ore. Activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa.

For further information, please contact:

Rio Tinto Alcan Media Relations, Canada
Stefano Bertolli
Tel.: +1 514 848 8151
stefano.bertolli@riotinto.com

Media Relations, Habitat for Humanity Canada
Cameron McAlpine, Optimum Public Relations
Tel.: +1 416 432 1503
Cameron.McAlpine@Cossette.com

Website: www.riotintoalcan.com www.riotintoalcansustainablehomes.com www.habitat.ca

25-05-2009 Press Release: Rio Tinto Alcan Sustainable Homes programme winners [PDF: 23 KB]