Government of Canada Supports New Affordable Housing for Veterans in Ottawa

The Government of Canada is supporting a new 40-unit project, which will provide affordable, supportive housing for homeless Veterans in Ottawa.

Today, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Children and Social Development and the Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) announced that the federal government is making a financial contribution of just over $6.5 million towards the construction of Veterans’ House: The Andy Carswell Building.

Multifaith Housing Initiative, an Ottawa-based non-profit charity that provides affordable-housing, is leading the development of Veterans’ House: The Andy Carswell Building. Ottawa Salus will provide integrated on-site counselling and support services for Veterans. At least 8 of the units will be fully accessible, with all entrances and common areas completely barrier-free.

This project will be built on the former airforce base CFB Rockcliffe, located at 745 Mikinak Rd in Ottawa, and is expected to be completed by November 2020.

Quotes:

“Through the National Housing Strategy, our Government is dedicated to helping those in need, which is why we are proud to be investing in this housing project for Veterans. The Multifaith Housing Initiative’s Veterans’ House: The Andy Carswell Building, is more than just a safe and affordable place to call home. Through the integrated on-site counselling support services provided by Ottawa Salus, it will provide the foundational support to a better life for our Veterans in need. To be able to provide this type of support for Canadians that have sacrificed so much for our Country, all the while, doing so under a roof designed to achieve maximum energy reductions is truly remarkable.”

“As a former serving member, I understand the value of putting a safe, secure, and affordable place to call home for our Veterans that need an extra hand. The universal design of Veterans’ House: The Andy Carswell Building, with at least 8 units being fully accessible, is of great importance when you’re providing a space to live for a population that may face physical barriers, due to their work. This is the National Housing Strategy in action – providing affordable and secure housing for communities throughout the country, so that they can realize their full potential.”

“Many thanks must go to the Multifaith Housing Initiative for their dedication and commitment to getting Veteran’s House: The Andy Carswell Building underway. This development, with financial support from the Government of Canada, as well as the City of Ottawa, will bring safe, affordable, and accessible housing to Veterans in need, right here in Ottawa–Vanier. Furthermore, housing first approach offered at this facility will foster a holistic healing environment for many Veterans to come.”

“The City of Ottawa is committed to providing affordable and supportive housing for all its residents. I’d like to thank the Government of Canada for their leadership and financial commitment to this unique housing project in the city’s east-end. The new Veteran’s House will help Veterans settle into stable and safe housing while receiving important supportive services.”

“The issue of veterans homelessness in Canada is unacceptable, but not insurmountable. Multifaith Housing Initiative believes we owe veterans a duty of care. And for those who have fallen in life, Veterans' House: The Andy Carswell Building is how we are going to start to pay that debt. Veterans' House will help us provide veterans in need with stable housing which will in turn, provide them with a chance to recover from health and mental health issues, to find meaningful work, to improve their overall quality of life, and to reconnect with their families. The investment by the Canadian government in practical, sustainable, and proven solutions such as Veterans' House is key to Canada reaching its goal of ending veteran homelessness by 2025. We thank the Government of Canada for their its generous contribution to this project.”

Quick facts:

• Multifaith Housing Initiative have accumulated and developed properties since 2002, spanning 139 units of affordable rental-housing.
• Through PassivHaus design, Veterans’ House: The Andy Carswell Building will achieve a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 60.3%.
• The Government of Canada is providing just over $6.5 million through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund, a National Housing Strategy Initiative.
• The Government of Canada is currently rolling out its National Housing Strategy (NHS), an ambitious 10-year, $40 billion plan that will create 100,000 new housing units and lift 530,000 families out of housing need, as well as repair and renew more than 300,000 housing units and reduce chronic homelessness by 50 per cent.
• Thanks to new investments proposed in Budget 2019, Canada’s National Housing Strategy will be a 10-year, $55 billion plan that will give more Canadians a place to call home.

Associated links:

As Canada’s authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. For more information, follow us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn,Instagram and Facebook

To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.

Information on this release:

Valérie Glazer
Press secretary
Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
valerie.glazer@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Alexandre Tremblay
CMHC Public Affairs
613-748-2559
aatrembl@cmhc-schl.gc.ca