What’s your address? It’s a simple question that more than 7,000 housing-challenged citizens living in Ottawa can’t answer, but the cycle of poverty is starting to break, according to a new report released by the city.
The Housing and Homelessness Investment Plan, released two weeks ago at the city’s community and protective services committee, boasts of the city’s success in helping 680 poverty-stricken households following a $14-million pledge in May to provide more affordable housing and reduce poverty.
“We want to pay dividends to the people who are living in less than ideal circumstances,” says Bay Ward Coun. Mark Taylor. Taylor, chair of the committee, says a significant number of Ottawa’s poor can be found in Centretown, prompting many of the plan’s initiatives to be delivered in the downtown area.
“Centretown has a larger share of folks living below the poverty line,” says Taylor. The city partnered with the provincial government to give $255,000 per year to Cornerstone Housing for Women in order to open and maintain its new location at 314 Booth St., says Sue Garvey, director of the emergency shelter for women.
The Centretown site, which opened in June, is home to 42 women who have faced domestic violence or other challenges and require an affordable and supportive place to live. Twenty seniors in need are provided with housing, personal support, and health care – “they are able to age in diginity,” says Garvey. Twenty-two younger women are helped back on their feet with services such as counseling, computer training and recreational activities. The Centretown community has embraced Cornerstone, says Garvey. “(Centretown residents) like the way the building fits into the neighbourhood visually,” she adds.
The younger Cornerstone residents are encouraged to leave the facility when they are ready. They will enter the supportive community confident and rejuvenated.
Cornerstone itself was a rejuvenation project, with the new building replacing an IGA grocery store.
The city’s housing and homelessness plan also aims to provide affordable housing for families, youth and single men within Centretown and surrounding neighbourhoods through a partnership with Ottawa Community Housing. Mayor Jim Watson spoke out about his support for the plan during his 2012 budget speech in October.
“Not having a home to call your own, especially for families with children, is a terrible thing. Imagine the anguish of a parent struggling to provide that certainty. That is what drives me to take the lead on building the bridge of affordable housing.”
He added that this “vital funding” will be continued in 2012.