Empowering Canadian families through accessible financial programs for homebuying and secure homeownership.

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About Us

Bridging the Gap to
Homeownership

We create clear, practical pathways for deserving families to afford, access, and sustain homeownership — even when traditional options fall short.

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Unlocking the Future
of Homeownership

Home Ahead is a housing access and financial assistance organization dedicated to making homeownership achievable for those who are underserved by traditional mortgage routes. We design and deliver innovative financing options, equity-building opportunities, and structured relief programs that address the real challenges families face — from saving for a down payment to managing overwhelming mortgage obligations.

Our belief is simple: stable homeownership is the foundation of financial security and future wealth. By combining private financing, grants, and strategic resources, we give qualified individuals and families a fair chance to enter, remain in, and benefit from homeownership. Our role is not just to provide funding, but to guide, structure, and support every step of the process — ensuring those who deserve a pathway forward are never left without options.

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3,800+

FAMILIES ASSISTED

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You're Welcome

That's what we'd like to say to you when you come to us.

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Our Mission

To make homeownership accessible through innovative financing, equity-building, and relief solutions.

Our Vision

A future where every household has a fair path to secure, sustain, and benefit from homeownership.

Our Core Values

We believe in making homeownership possible for people from all walks of life.

Every decision is guided by honesty, fairness, and transparency.

We create smart, practical solutions to overcome housing market challenges.

Our clients are at the center of everything we do, and we work to equip them for success.

We design strategies that deliver long-term financial growth and security.

The Leaders Behind
Our Impact

Our strength comes from a team of experienced professionals dedicated to making homeownership accessible. From program design and financial structuring to community engagement and strategic partnerships, our leadership brings expertise, vision, and commitment to every step of the journey.

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Jillian Hayes

President

Jillian Hayes brings over two decades of leadership experience in housing advocacy and program administration. Known for her strategic vision and deep commitment to helping families, she ensures Home Ahead delivers impactful solutions for both aspiring homebuyers and current homeowners facing mortgage challenges. Under her guidance, the association has expanded its work into smaller and underserved communities, building strong relationships with lenders, community partners, and housing experts to bridge financial gaps and make homeownership more attainable. Jillian’s collaborative leadership style and unwavering dedication to fair housing access have earned her the trust of both the communities Home Ahead serves and the professionals who support them.

Grace Villanueva

Vice President, Community Housing Initiatives

Born in the Philippines and raised in Ontario, Grace Villanueva has dedicated over 15 years to advocating for accessible and sustainable housing solutions. Her passion for helping families stems from seeing her own relatives and community members struggle with the rising costs of homeownership. At Home Ahead, Grace leads the development and delivery of programs that provide both aspiring homeowners and current homeowners in financial distress with practical, achievable solutions — from down payment assistance to mortgage relief strategies. Known for her compassionate approach and results-driven leadership, Grace works closely with local partners, lenders, and community organizations to ensure families have a real path to keeping or achieving a home they can call their own.

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Our Directors

Malcolm Harris
Malcolm Harris Director of Community Outreach & Equity Programs

With over 25 years of experience in community development, Malcolm ...Harris has built a career advocating for fair and equitable housing access. Raised in a close-knit Caribbean-Canadian family in Toronto, Malcolm understands firsthand the challenges minority groups face in securing stable, affordable housing. At Home Ahead, he leads outreach efforts to ensure that programs reach the families who need them most — including newcomers, immigrants, and historically underserved communities. Through strong relationships with local organizations, faith groups, and cultural associations, Malcolm works to break down barriers and provide clear, achievable paths to homeownership and housing stability.

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Ankita Patel
Ankita Patel Director of Program Finance & Investments

Ankita Patel brings a sharp financial mind and a deep commitment ... to community-focused housing initiatives. With a background in banking and non-profit financial management, she oversees the flow of all grants, investments, and capital funding at Home Ahead, ensuring resources are allocated strategically across programs to maximize impact. Ankita combines disciplined fiscal oversight with a passion for creating sustainable housing opportunities. Her work ensures that every dollar — whether from private grants, institutional partners, or community investors — is directed where it can make the greatest difference for families.

Leah Thompson
Leah Thompson Director of Marketing & Community Engagement

Leah Thompson leads Home Ahead’s outreach and marketing efforts ... , ensuring the organization’s programs connect with the families who need them most. With expertise in strategic communications and grassroots community engagement, she blends digital campaigns with real-world relationship building. Her role involves managing media initiatives, coordinating events, and working closely with community leaders to expand awareness of Home Ahead’s mission. Known for her sharp insight and creative approach, Leah helps bridge cultural and generational gaps, ensuring Home Ahead’s message resonates across communities.

Ravinder Singh
Ravinder Singh Director of Strategic Partnerships

Ravinder Singh leads Home Ahead’s efforts to build and strengthen ...relationships with realtors, mortgage lenders, legal advisors, contractors, and community organizations. With over a decade of experience in real estate services and housing program collaboration, he ensures that every partnership contributes directly to creating more opportunities for families. Recognized for his ability to connect with people from all walks of life, Ravinder leverages both professional expertise and cultural insight to bridge communities and housing resources. His work ensures Home Ahead’s programs are supported by a trusted network, delivering maximum value to aspiring homebuyers and current homeowners alike.

Isabella Moretti
Isabella Moretti Director of Compliance & Quality Assurance

Isabella Moretti oversees Home Ahead’s program compliance and ... quality assurance initiatives, ensuring every offering meets the highest standards of transparency, fairness, and accountability. With extensive experience in regulatory affairs and client advocacy, she safeguards both the organization and the families it serves by implementing rigorous review processes, monitoring program outcomes, and driving continuous improvement. Known for her keen eye for detail and strong sense of integrity, Isabella ensures that Home Ahead’s innovative housing and financing solutions not only comply with industry regulations but also exceed community expectations. Her leadership ensures families can trust that every program is delivered with consistency, clarity, and care.

Farah Mansouri
Farah Mansouri Director of Special Projects & Innovation

Farah Mansouri leads Home Ahead’s efforts to identify and address ... emerging housing challenges across all communities. Her role involves engaging directly with local leaders, housing advocates, and residents to uncover pressing needs — and then developing creative, practical solutions through pilot programs and special initiatives. With over 15 years of experience in community development and project management, Farah brings both strategic vision and hands-on problem-solving to her work. She thrives on building bridges between underrepresented groups, government bodies, and private partners to ensure housing assistance reaches those who need it most. Her approach blends data-driven insight with genuine grassroots connection, making her a vital force behind Home Ahead’s mission to stay adaptable and responsive in a changing housing landscape.

Our Senior Managment

Sophia Caruso
Sophia Caruso Manager of Housing Research & Policy

Sophia Caruso oversees housing market research, policy analysis, and ... program impact reporting for Home Ahead. She monitors trends, funding opportunities, and legislative changes that could affect homebuyers and homeowners. Her work ensures Home Ahead’s programs remain responsive, relevant, and strategically aligned with the evolving housing landscape. With a background in housing policy and nonprofit program development, Sophia combines data-driven insights with a deep understanding of community needs. Her expertise helps shape future initiatives while strengthening funding applications and advocacy efforts that benefit families across the province.

Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali Case Manager & Sr. Program Advisor

Muhammad plays a pivotal role in guiding approved applicants through ... the multiple stages of Home Ahead’s assistance programs. Once an application is approved, Muhammad is responsible for structuring the file, coordinating all required steps, and ensuring every detail is in place for a smooth program intake and process completion. With extensive experience as both a licensed realtor and a licensed mortgage agent, Muhammad brings a unique mix of market knowledge and practical problem-solving to each case. Known for his patience and commitment, he works closely with families to ensure they are supported every step of the way — from the moment they’re accepted into a program until their transition into homeownership or mortgage relief is complete.

Marcus Chen
Marcus Chen Case Manager & Sr. Program Advisor

Marcus Chen ensures that every approved applicant’s journey through ...Home Ahead’s programs is seamless and well-structured. Once an application is accepted, Marcus coordinates the necessary steps — from organizing documentation to liaising with Home Ahead’s trusted network of professionals — ensuring timelines stay on track and families feel supported. With a background in real estate coordination and housing program administration, Marcus combines meticulous attention to detail with a calm, solution-focused approach. He works closely with each applicant to guide them from program intake to the successful completion of their homeownership or mortgage relief plan.