Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa and City seeking help to house 100 before October

By the end of September, the goal is to find a home for 100 households experiencing homelessness through a collaboration between the public, private and non-profit sectors that will help landlords fill vacancies and residents secure housing. Landlords with available units should visit ottawahousingblitz.ca for more information.

The City will match people in need of housing with appropriate units and rent support from available housing benefit programs. Priority will be given to people experiencing homelessness who qualify for subsidies, are ready to be housed and are currently looking for housing.

City Council declared an affordable housing and homelessness emergency and crisis in January. The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the issue, with many residents lacking safe and affordable housing. Having a place to live leads to better health outcomes, making it the first line of defense against the virus.

With community partners and other levels of government, the City aims to create up to 8,500 new affordable-housing units and subsidies by 2030, and eliminate unsheltered, veteran and chronic homelessness. The City continues to invest in affordable housing, committing $30 million over the past two years to provide new affordable units. Partnerships like this one are essential to meet these goals and ensure everyone has a home.

“The COVID-19 pandemic will likely lead to a temporary higher vacancy rate this fall. We’re launching this housing blitz now to capitalize on the opportunity and house up to100 households experiencing homelessness before a second wave hits. If you have a unit available, please reach out.” - Mayor Jim Watson

“Housing is a human right and a public health issue. COVID-19 is exacerbating our housing crisis and it’s more important than ever to help our most vulnerable residents find a safe place to live. Please help spread the word and get in touch if you have a unit available.” - Councillor Catherine McKenney, Council Liaison for Housing and Homelessness

"People experiencing homelessness have become more visible than ever, as a result of COVID-19. The connection between health and housing is clear. Our goal to find appropriate and affordable housing for 100 people in our community is attainable and critical to their health and the health of our community. Now is the time to be ambitious. Housing is the answer to ending homelessness." - Deidre Freiheit, Chair, Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa

“The Eastern Ontario Landlord Organization supports the plan put together by the Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa and the City of Ottawa, to help house 100 households currently experiencing homelessness. EOLO commends the City’s steps to make sufficient income support available for the households to be able to pay their rents. EOLO’s members look forward to receiving applications from prospective tenants under the program.” - John Dickie, Chair, Eastern Ontario Landlord Organization