In November 2024, our Diocese formally approved Multifaith Housing Initiative as one of seven official Diocesan Partners. Multifaith Housing Initiative (MHI) is well-known to many parishes within the boundaries of the City of Ottawa; it is a strong advocate for affordable housing and helps to create new affordable housing options across the city. Bishop Shane Parker is a proud Patron of MHI.

Our Diocese recently donated $75,000 (from the sale of Christ Church Maniwaki property) to MHI to support Indigenous housing in the Dream LeBreton project in Ottawa’s LeBreton Flats.

At a time when our world is increasingly divided, MHI also brings together Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and other communities of faith to focus on our shared goal of affordable housing for all. There is an urgent need for safe, clean, comfortable living spaces, not only in Ottawa but throughout our diocese; MHI is an effective model that might inspire new multifaith collaborations in other communities!

How to support MHI as a Partner

Parishes are encouraged to renew their annual membership for $100. Each parish also identifies a parish representative to serve as a contact, and as a voting member at Multifaith Housing Initiative’s AGM (April 27th). On May 25th this year, please join MHI for the Tulipathon—a walk through the gardens near Dow’s Lake, in support of affordable housing!

In 2022, 20 parishes in our Diocese of Ottawa were members of Multifaith Housing Initiative.

Can we reach 25 parish memberships in 2025?

For more information about MHI, see their website (www.multifaithhousing.ca),  or contact our Partner Liaison: Marilyn Collins (mjfaircollins@gmail.com).

The Rev. Rosemary Parker is Chair of our Diocesan Partnerships Committee

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