The Anglican Diocese of Ottawa is celebrating the success of its 125th anniversary campaign to create 125 new deeply affordable housing units.
Three projects scheduled to open officially in April and early May – Hollyer House at Christ Church Bells Corners, Cornerstone Housing for Women’s Eccles Street residence and Carebridge Community Support’s residence in Smiths Falls – represent 109 units.
When combined with the 42 units at Cornerstone’s Princeton Avenue residence which opened in 2018 a total of 151 units have been completed. And many more are in various stages of development.
In a related cause for celebration, Cornerstone, an Anglican Community Ministry, announced that it was moving its crowded and challenging emergency shelter on O’Connor Street to Carling Avenue at the end of April. The new accessible location increases capacity 145 per cent, from 61 to 150 beds.
Other projects in the 125th anniversary campaign are progressing well. The extension at Ellwood House, affiliated with St. Thomas the Apostle in Alta Vista, Julian of Norwich’s Anchor project in Nepean and the proposed residence in Perth supported by St. James the Apostle are expected to add more than 100 units, for a grand total in the neighbourhood of 260.
Bishop Shane Parker said that, having reached the initial goal, “we need to restate our commitment to doing our part to increase the stock of affordable housing.”
He said the Homelessness and Affordable Housing Working Group (HAHWG) is working with him to define a new affordable housing strategy, to be adopted by Synod this fall. In the meantime, he said, parishes continue to seek out opportunities to support new affordable housing initiatives in their local communities.
The bishop pointed out that in our baptismal covenant we vow to seek and serve Christ in all persons, to strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being.
“This is clearly intended to be accompanied by meaningful action. We know about the intensification of need and danger on the streets of our diocese. The opioid crisis is a very real part of the distress on our streets, and the housing crisis is a major contributing factor.”
Sue Garvey, HAHWG chair, expressed the hope that the strong support and energy displayed to date will carry forward into the future.
“It is truly inspiring to have been part of this incredibly ambitious goal, through the collective efforts of people and parishes all across our diocese,” she said.
Hollyer House
PHOTO: The Rev. Monique Stone
The official opening of Hollyer House at Christ Church Bells Corners (CCBC) was celebrated on April 19. In addition to its 35 housing units, Hollyer is a community hub, the new home of the FAMSAC Food Cupboard and the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre. The project grew out of the initiative of individuals at CCBC who saw the potential of reimagining its rectory property, and a modest bequest of John Hollyer that became seed funding. Fundraising to complete the financing continues. The campaign has passed the $1.2 million mark. www.hollyerhouse.ca
The Rev Canon P.J. Hobbs, director general of the Anglican Community Ministries, who worked with the parish for most of the development period, said: “It will be a joy to watch how it contributes to the fabric of the community and to the lives of those who will call it home.”
Eccles Street Residence
Cornerstone’s 44 Eccles St. residence opened on April 17, providing 46 units of supportive affordable housing. Thirty per cent of the units are dedicated for Indigenous use and 12 units will be fully accessible. www.cornerstonewomen.ca
The residence could not have come at a better time, Kate Jackson, interim executive director, said. Cornerstone has been experiencing a negative post-pandemic impact on its shelter and housing services.
“Since 2022 more than 1200 women became homeless, and there aren’t enough housing options available for people who need 24-hour staffing support and access to health care and social services.”
Cornerstone’s fundraising goal is $1.5 million, with $350,000 left to go.
Smiths Falls Carebridge
St. John the Evangelist’s $500,000 donation allowed Carebridge Community Support to proceed with its 28-unit project in Smiths Falls, The residence at 44 Chambers Street, was scheduled to open on May 2.
Tammy Mulrooney, who is St. John’s representative on the project management team, said the congregation is excited to see the project completed. “We have been fortunate to receive financial gifts to share with the community for this much needed housing initiative. As disciples of Jesus, we hope that we can continue to support the needs of the community.” www.carebridge.ca
Ellwood House Extension
The Ellwood House extension at St. Thomas the Apostle has completed the extension planning process required to create 38 more units. Ellwood has made effective use of pre-development funding from the City, CMHC, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa. The funds allow Ellwood to complete requirements for Site Plan approval and to advance the architectural design toward building permit drawings, bringing the project closer to being “shovel ready.” www.ellwoodhouse.ca
The Anchor at Julian of Norwich
Julian of Norwich is proceeding with plans for The Anchor, a collaborative project with Multifaith Housing Initiative (MHI) and the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa. It envisages redevelopment of a two-and-a-half acre site at Merivale Road and Withrow Avenue for a building with approximately 57 affordable apartments as well as townhouses, a community gathering space and gardens. The hope is to have the project ready for funding by the end of this year. https://julianofnorwichottawa.ca
St. James the Apostle Perth
St. James the Apostle Perth, through Community Housing Initiative Perth (CHIP) has filed a proposal to create 10 to 12 units of affordable housing on town-owned land in downtown Perth. The project is in partnership with Carebridge Community Support, with extensive affordable housing experience in Lanark County, as owner and developer. www.stjamesperth.ca
Princeton Avenue
The opening of 42 supportive units at Cornerstone Housing for Women’s Princeton Avenue residence provided the first milestone for the 125th anniversary project. (www.cornerstonewomen.ca )
Photo: Cornerstone
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