Construction to begin this fall on new Salvation Army 'Centre of Hope' on Montreal Road
The Salvation Army hopes to begin construction on its new community hub in Vanier this fall, as the area councillor and residents continue to raise concerns about the proposed plan.
Ottawa's planning committee approved the site plan for the new "Centre of Hope" at 333 Montreal Road last June, which will include 32 supportive housing units and 99 beds in the emergency shelter
Now, almost six years after first unveiling plans for the new facility to replace the Booth Centre, the Salvation Army hopes to break ground later this year.
"Looking at mobilizing and construction beginning later this fall, and then we're hoping to open those doors – 2025, 2026 is sort of where our target is," Salvation Army spokesperson Glenn van Gulik told CTV News Ottawa on Sunday.
"But, of course, we know that as we come out of these past years there are some challenges with timing of materials and all of those things, so our team is looking at that making sure that were going to be on track, on course to be able to open those doors just as quickly as possible.
"We know that the need is great; we know that we've got to get there as quickly as possible."
Newly elected Rideau-Vanier Coun. Stephanie Plante and Mayor Mark Sutcliffe met with the Ottawa Salvation Army Booth Centre staff last week to discuss the project. Plante says she does not support another emergency shelter on Montreal Road or in Rideau-Vanier, and is pushing for more supportive housing in Ottawa
"We know housing first works, we know supportive housing can give people who have had setbacks back on their feet much quicker, much cheaper than the options being put forward here," Plante told CTV News Ottawa.
Plante wants the Salvation Army to apply the Housing First lessons learned from its approach to homelessness developed in Finland and the Y-Foundation.
According to the Salvation Army's website, it manages three supportive housing units in Finland, providing apartments for people experiencing chronic homelessness. Social and healthcare professionals provide support for residents at the homes.
Plans for the new "Centre of Hope" on Montreal Road have sparked concerns in the community since the project was first announced.
"I don't feel like we've been properly consulted," Vanier business owner Drew Dobson said. "Yes, we have heard many presentations but they have not heard our response and they have not modified the proposal to deal with our needs."
Community group SOS Vanier says the city is not getting value for money with the project.
"We want a housing first strategy, we went it to be open to immigrant families coming to Vanier and the city of Ottawa, that's where the need really lies for supportive housing in our community and the city at large," Peter Kucherepa said.
Van Gulik insists the Salvation Army has taken the concerns of the community seriously, including reducing the footprint of the project and adding more supportive housing units.
"Emergency shelters is still needed in the city of Ottawa, but these new 32 supportive housing units, six of which are accessible, will make it possible for us to reduce the size of the emergency shelter and continue to provide many of the programs and services that people count on every single day," van Gulik said.
"Down the road, if we can transition some of this new Centre of Hope into more supportive housing, we're committed to doing that. The flexible nature of this building is going to allow us to respond to those changing needs within the city of Ottawa."
The Salvation Army is hoping to open the new "Centre of Hope" in 2025 or 2026.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend woman's life
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.