The City of Ottawa has completed the purchase of 1754 St. Joseph Boulevard from the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa to provide transitional housing. This acquisition is a key part of the City’s efforts to build a broader Newcomer Reception Centre model to support single adult newcomers in finding housing, as part of the Integrated Transition to Housing Strategy(link is external).
Transitional housing is stable, temporary accommodations, which include supports for individuals while they transition to long-term housing. The City invested just over $11 million to acquire this property. Staff anticipate the site will be operational and serving clients by early 2025.
With the transfer of ownership to the City, this acquisition will reduce reliance on Physical Distancing- Emergency Overflow Centres, which are currently in City-owned recreation facilities.
The City is facing unprecedented demands on all aspects of the transitional housing and shelter system. More people than ever before are accessing shelter services and transitional housing, many of whom are newcomers. Currently, newcomer clients make up 60 per cent of all single adult shelter clients.
The site features a two-storey building and a detached residential dwelling, which staff estimate could serve 150 clients. The layout of the building will also make it easy to offer onsite social services and programming, resulting in better outcomes for clients and quicker transitions to long-term and permanent housing.
The City continues to create new housing options for Ottawa residents. More information and the latest data on these efforts is available in the 2023 Progress Report on the 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan.
Quotes
“The acquisition of 1754 St. Joseph Boulevard marks an important step forward in our commitment to providing transitional housing for single adult newcomers. This investment will enhance our accommodation system, offering stability and support. By increasing our capacity, we’re ensuring that everyone in our community has a safe place to call home as we work towards long-term solutions.”
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe
“This site not only increases the capacity in the City’s transitional housing system but will also allow us to rely less on City recreation centres. I’m confident this new program will be key in our efforts to help more people find homes.”
Laura Dudas, Orléans West – Innes Ward Councillor, Chair of the Community and Social Services Committee
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