During the past 9 months there has been a buzz of excitement in the Options International office. The team has been preparing training modules, onsite visits and workspace lessons to help the Affiliates move their developments forward and get closer to the goal of decreasing the pent up demand for housing around the world.

I N T E R N AT I O N A L

FALL 2013

NEWSLETTER

INTERESTING FACTSŸ In 16 years Options for Homes GTA has built over 3,000

homes and created $30,000,000 in liquid capital and $100,000,000 in community wealth.

Ÿ Options for Homes is the largest non-profit developer of ownership housing in Canada.

Ÿ In many countries 85% to 95% of potential homebuyers are not able to access housing loans. Options' Lending Club aims to address this.

Ÿ In Africa: Building 10,000 homes a year will create 50,000 jobs and reduce social problems by 50%.

“Building personal financial wealth or obtaining personal gain are not our priorities. Our goals are clear: to have a positive impact on people, effecting social change. We cannot think of a better vehicle to reach this goal than the Options model. It truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity…”

Andres Berrio & Monica DagaOpciones de Vivienda

IN THIS ISSUEŸ Affiliates' progress report Ÿ Meet the International team Ÿ Stay in Touch – Are you connected?

(L-R) Philemon Yang- Prime Minister of CameroonHenry Neba – President of Options for Homes LimbeMichel Labbé – President of Options for Homes

IN DEVELOPMENT6

+24

30 ACTIVE COMMUNITIES

BEING EXPLORED

Ashraf Ali meeting Heather Cruden, Canadian High Commissioner of Bangladesh.

OPTIONS FOR HOMES, DHAKA

BANGLADESHOptions International took a leap of faith and sent out our first affiliate, Ashraf Ali to spearhead the Options' housing model. Ashraf started 2013 with a bang by organizing a 13 day visit for Michel Labbé, President of Options for Homes Canada. During the visit, the team attended 11 meetings which included Dr. Mohammad Yunis (Noble Prize Winner), the Governor of the Central Bank and the Canadian High Commissioner –to Bangladesh. They also conducted 3 information presentations to future home buyers. Since Michel's visit Ashraf was able to secure two Memoranda of Understanding signed with Bestway Group and Urban Properties Ltd.

During the past 6 months there have been some concerns from Options on the increased political protest in run up to the upcoming elections. Options has decided to temporarily suspend activities in the country as we re-evaluate our implementation strategy. As a result, Ashraf has decided to step down as the Managing Director. We wish him the very best going forward.

While the situation in Bangladesh remains fluid as the country prepares for an election, Options is confident that the situation will stabilize after the elections. We remain optimistic about the prospects for cost effective housing in the country.

www.Facebook.com/OptionsForHomesBangladesh

OPCIONES DE VIVIENDAMonica and Andres are Options home owners and believe in the Model. Before leaving for a family wedding in Colombia, Monica and Andres came in for a meeting with Paul Tamale and Claire Speed where they had an “A-ha” moment.

During their trip in Colombia, Andres and Monica saw the need for cost-effective housing in South America. Even Monica's manicurist and fellow colleagues at the nail salon asked if they could put down a deposit on their future development. Andres knew he wanted to commit to Options International when he turned down his dream job to pursue making a difference in his country of birth.

Andres and Monica, left Toronto to spend 6 months exploring the best way to introduce the Options model to both Peru and Columbia. They're also setting out to find the answer to a very important question: in which country would they like to reside – Peru or Colombia? We look forward to hearing their decision when they get back to the Toronto office this October.

www.OpcionesDeVivienda.com

OPTIONS FOR HOMES, LIMBE

CAMEROONThe Team in Limbe has progressed the furthest of our international affiliates to-date. The Limbe Team launched Ocean View Estate, a 38-acre development in the municipality of Limbe II , this past June! Michel Labbé attended the Ocean View Estate Launch party with Pauline Praseuth (International Design Consultant) and Kathy Zhao (International Planning Consultant). During their stay in Cameroon, Michel met with Prime Minister Philemon Yang to present the Options vision of building 100,000 homes by 2020. The Prime Minister applauded Options for Homes, Limbe's dedication to providing cost-effective homes and developing the economy.

The design work on the site and houses has been completed. Options Limbe will be building 9 model homes to test the market. There is already a lot of demand for the homes from Cameroonians in Canada. Marketing should be exciting!

The Toronto office is preparing to host 4 staff from Cameroon to be trained on new construction equipment before it is shipped out to Cameroon in January 2014.

The task seems daunting, but Henry Neba, President of Options for Homes Limbe, believes, “Every goal may feel unreachable but is always attainable. It is just a matter of time before we start positively impacting people's lives.”

www.OptionsForHomesCameroon.com

OPTIONS FOR HOMES, KENYA Talk about being in the right place at the right time. Rahab and her husband Craig moved back to Kenya in February 2013. Their goal was to connect with land owners and developers to find someone to partner with the Options' Model. After some unsuccessful meetings, Rahab and Craig had a meeting with Paul Karekezi, Managing Director of GIBBS International. Mr. Karekezi is currently working with the County of Machakos to develop a new community that will include cost-effective housing.

With Paul's guidance, Rahab and Craig were able to work out a partnership with the Machakos Government to allocate 75 acres of land to Options for Homes Kenya for a 1,400 home development.

Ray and Craig spent three weeks in Toronto preparing themselves for the next phase of the development work. Marketing for the homes should begin by the end of 2013 and construction of the first phase is expected to begin early next year.

2014 is starting to look very promising.

CAMBODIAMichel Labbé was in Cambodia over the Christmas holidays and was able to identify several potential partners in the country for future expansion.

CHILEMichel Labbé and Annie Kue from Options International attended ProChile Investment Forum. They networked with a few businesses and also learned of the government's proactive attempts to attract new investors and entrepreneurs to Chile. Annie will be re-connecting with Options' South America contacts.

DOMINICAN REPUBLICThere have been several discussions with land owners on sites in the Dominican with Kevin Stephens an Independent Consultant. Kevin is planning on going there over the next few months to explore opportunities directly.

ECUADOREduardo Ortiz, Principal at Architecture Unfolded has been working with his contacts to identify an initial development site. We should have an affiliate on the ground by the end of the year.

MEET PAUL TAMALEDIRECTOR Paul has the expertise, business experience, and dedication to bring Options International’s goals to fruition. Along with his MBA from Berkeley, development work, and his personal vision, he manages a staff of 8, 10+ volunteers and over 30 engaged affiliates. Paul's positive energy and creative thinking leads his ever growing team to think big and act reasonably.

Paul provides guidance to a volunteer team of 13 architecture and planning students who produce site plans and render images for Options for Homes, Cameroon.

NEWEST ADDITION – TANA TUGENDHATTana was part of the Options family even before she started her position as the International Co-ordinator. Tana and her husband are first time homebuyers at Options' recent development at Keele and Dundas. Tana is an enthusiastic go-getter and is familiar in working in organized chaos.

Puerto Rico

In Development Being Explored

BEING EXPLOREDAngolaCambodiaChileChinaColombiaDominican RepublicEcuadorEthiopiaGhanaGreeceHaitiIndiaJamaica

LaosMexicoNicaraguaPuerto RicoRomaniaRwandaSouth AfricaTanzaniaUgandaUnited KingdomUnited StatesZambiaZimbabwe

ETHIOPIAA contact in Toronto is pursuing potential development sites for Options for Homes in Ethiopia.

GHANAAnna Boateng, a country representative was recently back home to assess the local market and potential contacts for a future expansion.

GREECEBill Logogiannis, a homebuilder, potentially has access to several properties on the island of Rhodes and will be coming to Toronto for the winter. Bill will be working with us directly at that point to implement the Options Model.

HAITIWe have talked to two people about potential developments in two separate areas in Haiti. Discussions continue with one of the individuals, Henryka Manès, Executive Director of Ecoworks International, on the possibility of developing land in Les Cayes that belongs to the family of a contact.

JAMAICAMarianne Chambers, former Ontario MPP and an avid volunteer with Jamaican Non-profits, has been working diligently with Earl Jarrett, General Manager of Jamaica National Building Society, to free up land on the Island for an Options development.

NICARAGUAJohn Mooney from the Instituto de Acción Social, recently met with us to discuss the potential in Nicaragua. There may be an opportunity to access several hundred acres of land. Michel Labbé will be flying to California to gauge the possibility of support for our work in Nicaragua.

ROMANIADan Ladico, an architect/engineer, has identified several properties and is working on identifying sources of seed capital to allow him to proceed.

SOUTH AFRICACamilo Ramada, a Representative for Growth Alliance, is interacting with his network of contacts to identify potential partners that can work with Options for Homes in South Africa.

UGANDADavid Kay, associated with Options in Kingston Ontario, spent two weeks in September meeting with potential implementers in Uganda.

UNITED STATESJudy Macelline, an accountant, has met with the Options Staff and has returned to her home in Los Angeles, California to explore the possibilities for Options.

Options International468 Queen Street East, Suite 310, Box 28Toronto, Ontario M5A 1T7 Canada 1.877.880.6961Office@OptionsInternational.netwww.OptionsInternational.netfacebook.com/OptionsInt

STAY CONNECTED

INTERESTED IN JOINING US? Please contact Options International.

I N T E R N AT I O N A LBuilding a shared future.

CREATING HOUSING LOCALLY& DEVELOPING ECONOMIES

Options for Homes, Toronto is looking for new part-time Purchase Consultants to add to our team. As a Purchase Consultant, you will provide support and information during the sales process and will be an integral part of making homeownership dreams a reality by working with new clients at Information Sessions on the weekends and leading them through the Options purchase process on a one-on-one basis thereafter.

For more information, please contact John Rozinger at 416-867-1501 ext. 227 or simply provide a cover letter and a resume to careers@optionsforhomes.ca.

OPTIONS FOR HOMES TORONTO IS GROWING!