Habitat for Humanity Canada

Meeting the Demands of Disaster Relief Housing through New Supply Chain Efficiencies

Habitat for Humanity builds a new home every 24 minutes and has built over 200,000 homes in its 30 years of working to eradicate poverty housing in 100 countries around the world. Given this
track record it is not surprising that Americans from all walks of life turned to this organization to
help them rebuild the hundreds of thousands of homes devastated by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the US Gulf Coast.

The unprecedented demand for housing caused by this crisis forced Habitat for Humanity to look
for a new operating paradigm – supported by leading‐edge technologies – to accelerate its
homebuilding process and achieve greater efficiencies without compromising on quality or safety. In making the transition from “home builder” to “home manufacturer” the organization is
working with Canadian technologists, manufacturers and suppliers to establish North Americaʹs
first just-in-time supply chain system for the housing industry. Using an Internet-based
technology platform the loop is finally being closed between the otherwise fragmented activities of
selecting and modifying house designs, ordering building materials, prefabricating selected house components, shipping a “house-in-a-box” to destinations near and far, and ultimately the on-site construction or assembly of the house.

This presentation will provide a vivid and motivational account of the journey – from crisis to
conclusion – while demonstrating how “made at home” manufacturing solutions are being used to build homes and hope for families in need of a brighter future.

David W. Hughes, President & CEO

David Hughes specializes in the management and transformation of non-profit organizations and is known for his bottomline results-oriented approach to improving the performance, accountability and sustainability of such organizations.

His experiences span over 50 countries and many disciplines. He has had first-hand exposure to the effects of famine, poverty, discrimination, segregation, civil injustice and armed conflict. He has seen the worst side of humankind, but also seen the enormous generosity and selflessness exhibited by people from all walks of life.

These experiences have given David Hughes insight into the challenges and opportunities facing organizations at home and abroad, and reinforced his belief in the unlimited good that can be done by well-run and well-intentioned charities and nonprofits. With this in mind he has dedicated his career to working with such organizations, advancing their role in society, and helping them improve the efficiency and effectiveness with which they contribute to a more civil and humane society.