Like many people, we are feeling grief, anger, and determination about the closures of supervised consumption and safe injection sites across Ontario. This decision was announced on a Friday afternoon before Ontario’s March Break, a choice that suggests that the Ontario government is well aware that the decision is cruel and unjustifiable.
On behalf of the Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa, we appreciate the opportunity to comment on Bill 10, Section 8. The Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa represents over 75 agencies in the housing and homelessness sector in Ottawa. Many are non-profit housing providers or service providers supporting people with complex needs. Alliance members have expressed significant concern over the implications for landlords and service providers in Bill 10 - Proposed New Regulations under the Measures Respecting Premises with Illegal Drug Activity Act, 2025 (MRPIDAA).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Event aims to unite the community around a future where everyone has a home
The City of Ottawa released its most recent Housing Needs Assessment in late June. The report, prepared by HelpSeeker technologies, offers concrete evidence of the extent of Ottawa’s housing crisis. It also demonstrates that the City is taking the situation seriously, and seeking evidence-based solutions to the crisis.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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:
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: