Veterans to help build new affordable housing for fellow veterans
by Michelle Nash Baker, Ottawa East News
Aug 30, 2017
A new housing project planned for CFB Rockcliffe is looking at getting veterans to help veterans.
The Multifaith Housing Initiative first announced the $8-million plan to build veterans housing, explaining the project will place a roof over the heads of at least 40 veterans on the former Canadian Forces Air Base in 2014.
The building will follow a housing first model and will include social support to help those with health conditions.
Construction is expected to begin in 2018.
Since that announcement, the organization has created multiple partnerships to get the job done – including its latest partner – Helmets to Hardhats – who announced a $25,000 donation to the project on Aug. 29 at the HMCS Bytown Officers’ Mess.
President of Multifaith Housing Initiative Mike Ward called the project an important one, adding that the status quo can not continue.
“Homeless veterans are more likely to be living on the streets than in a shelter,” Ward said, adding he is hoping that this project not only helps veterans but also gives them a chance to be a part of the building process.
“They were there for us in the past and it's our turn to be there for them now,” Ward said.
Executive director Suzanne Le said this project, in this location – a former air base – is the best way to commemorate the history of the site.
Innes Coun. Jody Mitic, a veteran of the Canadian Forces, has been supportive of the project since it was first announced in 2014, when he was then only a newly sworn-in councillor.
"We know they're out there,” Mitic said. “We're gonna support them. Veterans House is the first step."
Multifaith Housing Initiative is a coalition of faith communities that provide and promote affordable housing for lower income households in Ottawa. It currently owns and operates 139 rental-housing units.
Helmets to Hardhats Canada provides Canadian military veterans and serving reservists with opportunities for apprenticeship training and careers in Canada’s building and construction industries.
National executive director of Helmets to Hardhats, Greg Matte said he is hoping his organization’s contribution to the project will help veterans rebuild their lives.
Matte added he feels those veterans who help construct the building will gain valuable training through the experience.
“Veterans House is an important and long overdue project for veterans in Ottawa,” Matte said.
The Veterans House project has multiple partners including Ottawa Salus, which will provide the support services, CAHDCO, which is in charge of developing and managing the construction, Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Command and District G, Soldiers Helping Soldiers, VETS Canada, True Patriot Love, Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services, and Support our Troops.
Each organization will be bringing its own expertise and help to the project, Le said.
“We owe these men, we owe them,” Le said. “The debt goes deep. The fact that any one of them are living on the streets is unacceptable to me.”
Le added that there is no doubt the 40 units will fill up quickly.
by Michelle Nash Baker
Email:
[email protected]
https://www.ottawacommunitynews.com/news...-affordable-housing-for-fellow-veterans/
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