On May 2, parishioners and clergy from St. John the Evangelist celebrated the opening of a Smiths Falls affordable housing project that they played a key role in creating.
Many gathered for the opening ceremony with representatives of the other partners in this collaborative project—Carebridge Community Support, the federal government, Lanark County and the Town of Smiths Falls—and to tour the building that now offers 34 units of affordable housing at 44 Chambers Street in Smiths Falls. Twenty-eight of the units are rent-geared-to-income, and the rest are also affordable but at a different rate.
Rob Eves, CEO of Carebridge, a non-profit organization that led the project, told those gathered, “The story behind 44 Chambers is one of perseverance and partnership…. It took a lot of hard work from a lot of people to get this done. But you need to remember though that it’s not just about building a building today, it’s actually providing a home for those who most need it in our communities. And we’ve been lucky to hear from a few of the people who have been moving in recently and to hear how happy they are to have 44 Chambers as their new home.”
Introducing Tammy Mulrooney as the representative of St. John’s parish, Eves said, “This all began… with a small, dedicated group that were determined to make a difference in the community by channeling bequeathed funds into affordable housing at Smiths Falls. This is a result of that small conversation that turned into a much larger one that brought many more partners to the table. But if it had never happened … this building may never have happened.”
The federal government contributed $3.7 million from an Affordable Housing Fund (AHF); Lanark Country contributed $2.9 million, and another $10,000 came from the Town of Smiths Falls, which is also providing a tax abatement for about 20 years to help the maintain these units as deeply affordable housing.
Mulrooney said that the church’s donation of $500,000, which came from a generous bequest, was more than a financial contribution to the project. For the parish, it is a symbol of their dedication to creating a more inclusive and compassionate society. “Affordable housing is not merely about providing shelter, it’s about fostering communities, nurturing hope, and ensuring dignity for all. At St. John’s, we hold these values close to our hearts, and it’s a privilege to see them manifest in projects like this one.”
She thanked everyone involved “our parishioners past and present, the organizing committees, volunteers, local authorities, and all those who have supported us along the way. Your collective efforts have transformed dreams into bricks and mortar, and today we see the culmination of our shared aspiration.”
Addressing the residents of the building, Mulrooney said, “Know that you are not just occupants of a building. You are integral members of a vibrant and caring community. Your presence enriches our town, and we welcome you with open arms.”
In closing, she added, “let us remember that our work does not end here. As stewards of compassion and agents of change, let us continue to strive for a society where housing is not a luxury, and but a fundamental right for all.”
The Rev. Thomas Brauer, Incumbent of St. John’s, said the parish hopes to continue to play a role in serving the residents and building a sense of community. Although the church building is too far from 44 Chambers to serve as a gathering or social space for residents, particularly if they have mobility issues (eight of the units are fully accessible), Brauer said the parish is talking with a food hub, which is slated to open across the road from 44 Chambers this summer, about partnering and possibly using their facilities for programming.
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