Blog

Ottawa needs to fund rent allowances: Deputation to the Community Services Committee, April 22, 2025

On April 22, 2025, Kaite Burkholder Harris spoke at the City of Ottawa's Community Services Committee on behalf of the Alliance to End Homelessness, to support the need for continued and increased funding for rent allowances to close the gap between current demand and the approved budget. 

You can read the remarks below, or watch the deputation here.

How to vote in Canada's federal election when you're homeless

Eligible electors who are homeless or have no fixed address can register and vote in a federal election in Canada. Here are the key facts to know:

February 27: Make housing part of the conversation this Ontario election

The Ontario election will take place February 27, 2025.

We urge you to vote if you are eligible, to encourage everyone in your life to vote, and to keep Ontario's housing crisis in mind when you cast your vote.

Unhoused Ontarians have the same right to vote as those who are housed. Learn how shelters, drop-ins, food banks, and community health centres can help unhoused Ontarians vote if they don't have ID, using this printable resource from Diana Chan McNally.

The Alliance has prepared some social media graphics you can use to show your support for making sure housing is part of the conversation.

Allowing shelters in all urban zones: our deputation to the City of Ottawa's Planning and Housing Committee

On February 5, 2025, we presented to the City of Ottawa's Planning and Housing Committee about a motion put forward by Kichissippi Ward Councillor Jeff Leiper, chair of the committee.

The motion would permit shelters in all urban zones, bringing forward an amendment to the City's comprehensive zoning bylaw that would permit shelter use in all urban zones in the city. Leiper moved the motion to bring the current bylaws in line with the Official Plan in advance of a comprehensive bylaw review later this year.

Read or watch our deputation below.

The need for a renovictions bylaw: Presentation to Ottawa's Planning Committee

On January 14, 2025, we presented to the City of Ottawa's Planning Committee about the proposed municipal renoviction bylaw.

We know that renovictions can lead to homelessness. At minimum, a renoviction means that tenants are forced to find other housing almost guaranteed to be unaffordable in our current housing market.

You can watch or read our full remarks below:

Stable funding for homelessness prevention is key: our presentation to the City's Community Services Committee

On November 26, 2024, we presented to the City of Ottawa's Community Services Committee about the City's 2025 budget.

When more and more people in Ottawa and beyond are struggling to meet their basic needs, it's time to invest in prevention.

You can read our full remarks below:

Ottawa's budget needs to prioritize scaling up non-profit housing

On November 20, 2024, we presented to Ottawa's City Council about the City's draft budget.

While the proposed budget includes modest increases in operations funding, as well as stable and predictable capital funding, the needle continues to move in the wrong direction on housing in Ottawa.

We presented the remarks below to contend that the only way to truly end homelessness and tackle the housing crisis in our community is through scaling up non-profit housing. 

Ottawa's Housing Services Long Range Financial Plan makes promising steps, but we need more.

On November 6, 2024, we attended the City of Ottawa's joint Finance and Planning and Housing Committee to make a delegation on the Housing Services Long Range Financial Plan 2025 - 2030.

The meeting was covered by CBC, and our remarks are below.

Solving Ottawa’s homelessness crisis will take help from provincial and federal governments

The past month has seen increased calls from municipalities, including Ottawa, for more support from federal and provincial governments. Cities and towns are putting up distress signals that they are facing challenges that are too large to deal with on their own. 

August 31: International Overdose Awareness Day

This Saturday, August 31st, is International Overdose Awareness Day. It’s a day of campaigning to end overdose, remembering those who have died and acknowledging the grief of those left behind.

Ottawa must invest in housing loss prevention and permanent housing

Submission to Ottawa City Council's Community Services Committee about the update on Ottawa’s Integrated Transition to Housing Strategy (ITHS).

The Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa recently wrote to Ottawa City Council's Community Services Committee about the update on Ottawa’s Integrated Transition to Housing Strategy (ITHS).

We urge Council to prioritize investments into housing loss prevention and permanent housing solutions, rather than short-term shelter responses.

The Alliance Testifies to House of Commons HUMA Committee

Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) 
Presented by Meg McCallum | Interim Executive Director | Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa | Monday June 17, 2024