Blog

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

Building Green: The Future of Affordable Housing in Ottawa

Building Green: Discussion Panel Recap

How do affordable housing and sustainable building practices align? This was the central question at our latest discussion panel co-organized by the Alliance, Cahdco, and Ottawa Community Land Trust (OCLT).

What does the federal budget mean for housing and homelessness?

Canada’s 2024 Federal Budget: What it Means for Housing

With Ottawa’s housing landscape in turbulence, Canada’s new 2024 federal budget unveils measures to boost affordable housing nationwide. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key points and their potential impacts for Ottawa’s residents and communities.

Blog: Housing and Mental Health in Black Communities

By: Karen Umurerwa, Expert Steering Team Member

Housing and Mental Health in Black Communities

In 2012, my family made the hard decision to move from Rwanda to Canada. The transition from my homeland to Canada was the toughest process I could have gone through. Canada was a land of opportunities, but it was one that was completely foreign to us as we had no friends or family that could ease our integration.

Blog: Embracing Identity: The Bonds of the African Diaspora

By: Yetunde Amanda Ona

Embracing Identity: The Bonds of the African Diaspora

The following piece was written by Yetunde Amanda Ona who arrived in Canada 6 years ago with her young children as a refugee claimant. She navigated the homelessness system, and is now an Alliance staff member working to create a more effective and dignified housing and homelessness system. These are her reflections on identity and the African Diaspora.

Blog Spotlight: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

By: Gail Gallagher

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (Dec. 6th)

On this day, we remember the innocent lives lost and of the murder of 14 young women at Polytechnique Montréal on December 6, 1989. As a result of this tragic event, December 6 was designated as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

In addition, the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence begins on November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) and ends on December 10 with International Human Rights Day. The 16 Days of Activism are an opportunity to come together to speak out and renew our commitment to end gender-based violence.

Deputation at Planning and Housing Committee

Budget 2024

Wednesday, Nov 29th - Planning & Housing Committee Budget 

Watch the video here.

Good Morning Chair and Members of Committee,

As you know, the Alliance to End Homelessness represents over 75 agencies working in the housing and homelessness sector in Ottawa. On behalf of our members - we commend you for the biggest increase in the capital budget for affordable housing since 2014. This increase is more than just additional money, it’s a signal that this Council is prioritizing the need to tackle the housing and homelessness crisis.

We’re also encouraged by the introduction of the vacant unit tax this past year as a new source of revenue for affordable housing. This funding is vital to our ongoing efforts to provide long-term affordable housing options for people in our community, and I encourage you to ensure all of it is used for affordable, non-profit housing.