On November 7, 2019, YSB hosted the grand opening of its wonderful new facility at 2887 Riverside Drive. The four-storey Youth Housing Hub includes 39 new supportive housing units for formerly (!) homeless youth and a youth services hub on the ground floor. Tenants began to move in to their new homes on November 11^th. 50% of YSB’s current shelter users will be moving in to the new facility, allowing YSB to serve more youth in Ottawa.

Many representatives from different organisations attended, all of which have contributed to the project in different ways. It was amazing to see just how many individuals and organisations are investing in the project. Some of the key players include:

• YSB – With a strong commitment to its mission to provide quality services to youth, YSB provided strong leadership in the execution of its vision for this development.
• YSB Foundation – Contributed greatly to making this vision a reality.
• McDonald Brothers Construction – Went above and beyond its duties as construction manager to make this project go as smoothly as it did.
• Vandenberg & Wildeboer Architects – Designed this fantastic facility that tenants will be able to call home.
• City of Ottawa – Provided a capital grant through the Investment in Affordable Housing program.
• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation – Providing mortgage financing to the project.
• Cahdco – Project manager and development consultant on the project.

We were really happy to attend the grand opening of YSB’s Youth Housing Hub, and glad to have been part of this incredible project. It was a great, heartwarming event full of speeches, cheers, and doughnuts. After the great speeches from YSB, the YSB Foundation, and the City of Ottawa, a tenant days away from moving in to the building shared his story, inspiring us all with his resilience and strength.

I have been working on this project with Anna since I joined Cahdco in June of last year. It has been a privilege to watch this project go from idea to reality, and we all appreciate the great effort that has been put in to creating this supportive housing development where youth can take charge of their lives.

We were able to tour the facility and got to see the completed youth services hub and residential units. Students from the Joan of Arc Academy had put together welcome/care packages, which included various essentials as well as handmade cutting boards and washcloths, to welcome tenants into their new homes.