Parishes work to keep affordable housing projects moving forward

The COVID-19 pandemic has had both a negative and positive impact on homelessness and affordable housing in the Diocese of Ottawa.

It has caused even greater need. The waiting list in Ottawa has risen from 12,000 to an estimated 13,000. More than 1,900 people are in shelters. And the number of people sleeping outside has doubled since the pandemic began. Neighbouring counties have similar experiences. 

At Julian of Norwich parish in Ottawa the negative came with slowing the pace of development for a major community-based project.   The limits of on-line consultations and increased demands for pastoral care intervened.

The positive is in demonstrating more than ever the critical need of working with partners and the wider community, the Rev. Monique Stone says. A simplified plan is being developed with Multifaith Housing Initiative as the main housing partner. Thanks to three years of preparatory work, the parish is confident it will be able to go out to the fundraising phase by the end of the year.

At St Paul’s Almonte a process of congregational meetings was nicely under way only to be put on hold by the pandemic last March. The parish property has three buildings – the church, a rectory and a “parish house,” an adjacent home with a small parcel of land bequeathed to the parish many years ago.  Since 2017, St. Paul’s has been providing affordable housing by renting the parish house to a Syrian refugee family at heavily subsidized rent.  The rectory has a tenant paying full market rent.

The pandemic interrupted consideration of how to reimagine the entire property. The Rev. Jonathon Kouri says development of a group home for people with special needs was getting favourable consideration. Affordable housing was another option.  He looks forward to re-starting the process with consultations involving the full congregation. 

Affordable housing stakeholders share an expectation that more government funding will become available as the pandemic has had the positive impact of raising awareness of the growing need.