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.

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"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."