Caldwell Family Centre moving out of west end location due to housing shortage
The Caldwell Family Centre is looking for a new home, after three decades of serving the Carlington community in Ottawa's west end.
Due to the housing shortage in the capital, Ottawa Community Housing says it requires the two units at 1100 Medford Street that the food bank has been using.
"Come July 15, we will be vacating two units," Marilyn Matheson, Caldwell Family Centre executive director, told CTV News Ottawa on Wednesday.
Caldwell Family Centre is now asking for help to find another location for the food bank and its offices to continue offering programs to the community.
"While we are thankful for the time we’ve had in the two housing units, we understand the need to return them back into housing for families," Matheson said in a statement.
Ottawa Community Housing has been providing units 20 and 22 at a property on Medford Street for over 30 years, but now requires the units.
Volunteers are disappointed the Caldwell Family Centre food bank and offices will be forced to move out next month.
"I realize housing is a priority in the city and I'm not saying it's not, but for all the things we do I can't see how two housing spaces are going to make a difference in the housing shortage," volunteer Jack Poole said.
The food bank inside the Caldwell Family Centre on Medfort Street in Ottawa. (Jackie Perez/CTV News Ottawa)
Ottawa Community Housing says it has offered the Caldwell Family Centre "the only existing other space available' in the area at the Bellevue Community Centre.
Matheson says while the Caldwell Family Centre is thankful for the offer, the space is not adequate.
"We'd have to move the refrigerators, freezers in here and we would not have space for a lot of the other programming," Matheson said.
If the public knows of any potential locations or have any suggestions for a community centre that would be available, you are asked to contact Matheson at the Caldwell Family Centre.
"If we can find another space that is the same rent, which is free, it would be preferable so the programming at the Bellevue Community Centre could stay intact the way it is," Matheson says.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Case against ex-Mountie charged with helping China can go ahead in Quebec, judge says
A Quebec court judge has ruled that the case against a former RCMP officer charged with helping China conduct foreign interference can go ahead in the province.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.
Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, will plead guilty in betting case
The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to bank and tax fraud in a sports betting case in which prosecutors allege he stole nearly US$17 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.