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
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
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.