A new not-for-profit organization was officially launched Tuesday by an Ottawa couple eager to educate Canadians about the hazards of poorly built homes and the pitfalls of buying or renovating.

The organization, Canadians for Properly Built Homes (CPBH), is the brainchild of local couple Alan Greenberg and Karen Somerville. The pair made headlines in March when they launched a lawsuit against builder Ashcroft Homes on the grounds that a flaw during the construction of their home let in moisture, causing a severe mould problem that endangered Ms Somerville's health.

CPBH is a national not-for-profit organization running on goodwill and volunteer effort. Spokeswoman Connie Cochrane said the organization is open to donations and is investigating sources of government funding.

"It's amazing actually ... the number of people who have come forward and made us aware of the need for something like this," Ms Cochrane said.

CPBH has chosen a number of issues to tackle that involve all three levels of government.

At the national level, the organization is focusing on the energy efficiency of new homes. CPBH is also putting under scrutiny local building codes that do not go far enough to protect consumers from mould problems. The organization also wants municipalities to better educate consumers on local permit requirements and any other bureaucratic red tape that one may encounter when attempting to buy, sell or renovate a home.

In Ottawa the organization has focused specifically on the occupancy permit required by the city before a homebuyer can move into a newly built home. CPBH said there is too little information provided about who is responsible for obtaining this permit, why the permit is needed and what the consequences are for the homebuyer if the permit is not issued.

Tarion Warranty Corp., formerly the Ontario New Home Warranty Program, is also on the hook.

Under guidelines that were set out 27 years ago, the maximum payout from Tarion to help a homeowner repair a home that has been found to have environmental or structural safety problems is $100,000. For Mr. Greenberg and Ms Somerville, the cost of taking care of the mould problem in their home has far exceeded that limit.

CPBH is also pushing for Tarion to reimburse homeowners forced to pay for temporary accommodation if they must leave their home.

Mr. Greenberg and Ms Somerville's problems began after they moved into their Ashcroft home in August 2000. Ms Somerville developed asthma and allergy symptoms. The couple moved out of their house into an apartment last October after she was diagnosed with sick building syndrome that was attributed to mould spores.

The couple launched a $2-million lawsuit against Ashcroft in March, alleging the problem was the result of a building flaw that allowed in moisture. A court date has been set for September.

Ashcroft has declined to comment on the matter while it is before the courts. In court documents, the builder has said it delivered to the couple the home to which they were entitled.

CPBH's web site can be reached at www.canadiansforproperlybuilthomes.com