Salvation Army Ottawa Booth Centre finds permanent housing for over 100 people so far this year
The Salvation Army Ottawa Booth Centre's Outreach and Housing Services Program has successfully provided housing for more than 100 people over the past eight months.
Shadow is one of these individuals, who, before the Salvation Army, was living homeless for nearly four years.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
"It's been a really rough two-and-a-half years. There's been a lot going on, a lot of stress, a lot of ups and downs," says Shadow. "I've been wanting to get a better place, a bigger place, because I have a seven-year-old son ... So, when the housing worker told me I was getting a new two-bedroom apartment, I was jumping for joy, you know, I'm so excited."
Shadow is one of 36 people who, in September, was able to transition to their own apartments through the Housing and Outreach program.
Mikyla Tacilauskas, program manager, says it is a significant milestone for the program, which focuses on securing housing and ensuring long-term success for its residents, especially now, as colder weather approaches.
"We have right now about a 95 per cent retention rate for housing, with the assistance of all of our caseworkers," says Tacilauskas. "They [caseworkers] are responsible for engaging with those individuals in their housing at least once a week, sometimes twice a week. They do life skills building, like teaching individuals how to cook, how to clean, how to maintain relationships; they support in all aspects of their tenancy. We engage with the landlord at least once a month to ensure everything is progressing and all payments have been made."
Outreach and Housing Services team members aid clients with transportation, move-ins, and settling into their new homes, which can dramatically transform the lives of community members.
"It's a very client-led program, so whatever the client wants to work on is something that we are there to assist with," says Tacilauskas. "If that means finishing their education, getting a job, getting a family doctor or going to a dentist, all that kind of stuff, we're there to support however they see fit."
Currently, the city is faced with a lack of affordable housing. Homelessness has surged, shelters are overflowing, and there has been an increase in drug-use, addiction and violence. While housing programs, like what the Salvation Army is providing, offer some measure of success, Rideau-Vanier Ward Coun. Stéphanie Plante has concerns about how it is being handled.
"This is a way for them [the Salvation Army] to sort of show that they're trying to find some measure of housing first within the services they provide. I think we can all agree that housing first would just benefit everyone, including the Salvation Army, and especially for the eventual move to Montreal Road," said Plante, who questions if another program by the Salvation Army, a new facility, will provide an appropriate solution. "They are planning a mega shelter on Montreal Road, at 333 Montreal Rd. and they will tell you that it's got different services there, but at the end of the day, it's still a shelter and that's not something we need in a low income, a vulnerable community like Vanier. Vanier is a place for housing solutions."
Shadow's housing issue is now resolved, allowing the focus to shift towards helping others navigate living through tough times.
"The Salvation Army has been helping me with my social anxiety and mental health stuff; they've been really amazing," says Shadow. "They're not just a housing team, they're also a very social and supportive group. I'm planning on working at Sandy Hill Community Center as a community worker. I want to give back to the community and help those who have nothing and are rock bottom, like I was. It's a really painful thing to have and if I can make it a better world, one person a time, I'll do it."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Biden and Trump will meet in the Oval Office on Wednesday, the White House says
U.S. President Joe Biden will host President-elect Donald Trump for a postelection meeting in the Oval Office on Wednesday, the White House said Saturday.
Here are new guidelines for preventing stroke
The majority of strokes could be prevented, according to new guidelines aimed at helping people and their doctors do just that.
1 monkey recovered safely, 42 others remain on the run from South Carolina lab
One of 43 monkeys bred for medical research that escaped a compound in South Carolina has been recovered unharmed, officials said Saturday.
Actor Tony Todd, known for his role in the movie 'Candyman' and its sequel, dies at 69
Actor Tony Todd, known for his haunting portrayal of a killer in the horror film “Candyman” and roles in many other films and television shows, has died, his longtime manager confirmed. He was 69.
Qatar is suspending its role in talks between Israel and Hamas, sources say
Qatar is suspending its role as a mediator in talks between Israel and Hamas after concluding that the two sides are no longer negotiating in good faith, two sources familiar with the situation tell CNN.
Cynics not only lose out on friendships, love and opportunity — they're also wrong about human nature
Cynicism is on the rise. Should that come as any surprise given today’s divisive global conflicts and our fraught political landscape? Even the weather seems like it’s out to get us.
Man charged with participating in march with flaming torch has pleaded guilty to lesser charge
Another man charged with carrying a flaming torch with the intent to intimidate during a 2017 rally at the University of Virginia campus has agreed to a plea deal.
Opinion Was music really better when you were younger? Or is your mind deceiving you?
As I see other generations of music lovers say music was so much better when they were younger, I wondered why. We can’t all be right — or maybe we are? I talked to experts in how music influences our brains to find out.
Tens of thousands of Spaniards demand the resignation of Valencia leader for bungling flood response
Thousands of Spaniards marched in the eastern city of Valencia on Saturday to demand the resignation of the regional president in charge of the emergency response to last week's catastrophic floods that left more than 200 dead and others missing.