Bells Corners is a better community today after the official opening of Hollyer House with its 35 units of affordable housing and a hub for food, health and social services.
The project is rooted in the outreach culture of Christ Church Bells Corners and parishioners were out in force, full of pride and joy, to see the realization of their vision.
After parishioner John Hollyer left a modest bequest that provided the seed money to get the project started the parish joined in partnership with the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa (ADO), later partnering with the non-profit developer Cahdco and gaining funding from the City of Ottawa and CMHC.
Cathy Cohen, Mr. Hollyer’s niece, did her uncle proud by cutting the ceremonial ribbon to declare the building open.
Speakers at the opening ceremony riffed on the theme that Hollyer is a shining example of what can be accomplished when people and organizations pull together in common cause.
Archdeacon Canon Monique Stone, rector of CCBC, said as many as 200 organizations and 2,000 people had been involved one way or another in the bringing a dream to reality.
Nepean MP Chandra Arya said it is a perfect example of what can be done when governments work together.
To Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod it is a reminder of what makes a good community.
For Laine Johnson, councillor for College Ward, it is a precedent showing what faith-based efforts can produce – perhaps a new paradigm for affordable housing.
Leigh Couture, executive director of Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre (WOCRC), with prime space on the ground floor, said Hollyer represents a significant milestone for the organization as it faces an ever-rising demand for accessible services.
Erin Coffin, a director of the FAMSAC Food Cupboard, also in its new ground floor location, was mindful that FAMSAC is 100 per cent volunteer-run. She noted that Hollyer is its sixth home in 10 years.
Bishop Shane Parker reminded those gathered that Christians are called to love and compassion. It is a great privilege as Anglicans, he said, to open our resources to the benefit of the community.
Christ Church Bells Corners has been doing just that for decades. In 1984, the parish joined with three other local congregations to found a non-profit corporation that went on to develop Harmer House, a 60-unit residence for seniors that opened in 1986 and still has a waiting list today.
Victor Wehrle, one of several parishioners with long memories, recalls that in 2005 the parish voted to allocate 10 per cent of offerings to community outreach.
As a legacy of that decision today, treasurer Margaret Thomas reports that the parish has contributed more than $240,000 to Hollyer House.
Wehrle and many others were at their stations on opening day to show visitors around. They were, he said, striving to live out their faith. “A big part of that is, What can we do to make our city a better place? Hollyer House will make a difference.”
He already has an idea for a new project—working with residents to develop a community garden that will enhance the beauty of the location but, more important, it will provide social interaction to the benefit of residents and the community.
Immediately, Hollyer is providing a mix of studio, one, two and three bedroom units to meet the needs of priority groups including families, seniors, newcomers, refugees, and women and children transitioning from supportive housing.
One third of its residents will come from the City of Ottawa’s Social Housing Registry waiting list.
One third will come from Cornerstone Housing for Women and Chrysalis House women’s organizations.
And one third will come from a waiting list of people in the broader Ottawa community who have need of affordable housing.
The architect for the building is Hobin Architecture with construction by Warlyn Contruction Ltd.
Website: www.hollyerhouse.ca
Christ Church, Bells Corners — Deanery of West Ottawa