The Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa has released its annual report. The report addresses the progress made towards ending homelessness in Ottawa by recording annual change across the sector. It tracks how many people are using emergency shelters, the demographic of those staying in shelters, and the length of their stay. It also monitors the availability of affordable housing and the creation of new affordable housing options.

Despite efforts, the Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa has recorded increases in shelter use, length of stay, and chronic homelessness. The report features key strategies that should be implemented to not only help those who are suffering from homelessness but also to help prevent homelessness from occurring. These strategies include increasing funding and support to prevent homelessness, building a variety of housing options at different income levels, adopting healthy community planning in all neighbourhoods across Ottawa, and co-designing solutions with the community to support better systems-level planning and outcomes.

The Alliance to End Homelessness has reported that, since 2014, 364 new affordable and supportive housing units have been built with support from the City. Working with Cahdco, both Ottawa Salus and Multifaith Housing Initiative developed sites creating 42 supportive units and 98 affordable units respectively.  Ottawa Salus Clementine, a Passive House construction, opened in 2016 and Multifaith Housing Verona Ave opened in 2017. Cahdco is currently working with Youth Services Bureau to create 39 units for high-risk and vulnerable youth, Cornerstone to provide 42 units for Women, and King’s Daughter and Sons to produce 58 units of affordable housing for seniors.

Cahdco as the sister corporation to CCOC, a member of the Alliance to End Homelessness, is committed to doing our part to help end homelessness in Ottawa.