Safe Housing Ottawa Inc

To create safe, affordable housing in Ottawa, Canada, for those who are disabled with Environmental Sensitivities and to return them to being contributing members of society, and to serve as a model to build and live in a sustainable manner for the health of future generations and the environment.^*

I would like to report the sad news that we have been unable to resolve legal and financial issues on the Parkway House project. This has resulted in the closure of the Safe Housing Ottawa/Parkway House project.

We came so very close but lost our political clout with the passing of Marion Dewar and then our dear architect, Philip Sharpe. In the end, we could not overcome the considerable obstacles which cropped up after our public, community consultations.

We faced very strong opposition to the project and lack of support at a political level. There was also the covenant and rezoning issues which still remain unresolved.

Myself and the board share your disappointment and would like you to know that we did our best to bring this project to fruition. We would like to leave you with our heartfelt regrets and wish we could have had a better outcome.

In closing, I would like to especially thank our consultant, Jill McFarlane, who devoted years to this project and countless unpaid hours. Thanks also to Jonathan Westeinde and Parkway House for being willing to partner with us on this project. We wish them all the best of luck with their future endeavours.

Safe Housing Ottawa Fall/2010 Update

I would like to report that we are still waiting for legal issues to be resolved at City Hall, namely, the release of the covenant for Parkway House and the issue of rezoning for the property. As this is an election year, nothing will be decided until after the election at the end of November 2010.

This is a very touchy issue for politicians as there is still considerable opposition coming from the local community groups. They do not want any more high density housing in their area and are concerned about traffic congestion, blocked views, etc.

If the city votes in favour of the above, we would then have to re-apply for new funding to build our project.

As you can see, the process is long and complicated and we can only be patient while we wait for things to happen.

Everyone has been so very patient and I am sorry that I do not have concrete news at this time. I imagine that this will all come to a head in 2011 and we will know one way or the other if our project will move forward.

Sincerely,

Linda Nolan-Leeming,
ED, Safe Housing Ottawa

Dear members,

In March 2010, Parkway House held a private community consultation with community leaders. The leaders continued to express their opposition to the plan. The neighbours feel it will have a negative impact on traffic flow and their access to views.

This is by no means, a defeat, as the response is normal and to be expected. In fact, most new developments must face the same hurdles and it even has a name: the NIMBY syndrome (not in my back yard). We trust that they will come to see our project as a green, sustainable and welcome addition to the neighbourhood.

The present status is that we were not approved for renewed funding this year but are still on the list for next year. I wish I could give everyone the odds of success but our funding is very much dependant upon the approval of the building permit application that was submitted by Parkway House. They are also still going through legal issues with the City to have a covenant lifted from their property so that it can be developed.

I know the wait has been long and difficult for all of you, especially those who are living in unsafe conditions or who are perhaps even homeless due to your disability.

We at Safe Housing Ottawa will not give up and will hopefully find success next year. I would, however, encourage everyone to please not put their life on hold for another year but to move ahead with finding the safest possible place that is available to you at this time.

Regards to all,

Linda Nolan-Leeming,
Executive Director,
Safe Housing Ottawa

UPDATE ON PARKWAY HOUSE PROJECT – RESCUE PLAN

Dear Friends,

I would like to give you an update on events to date but firstly, let me thank our Housing Consultant, Jill McFarlane, for her tireless efforts and for always thinking outside of the box. . . . Jill, you are an inspiration! Thanks are also due to our board, who has also been steadfast and unwilling to give up in spite of the numerous challenges.

After examining all other options, we are now reapplying to the city for the new, increased funding which will be available in 2011. As you recall, our underfunding and the timeline were the 2 obstacles that defeated us at the end. The newer funding allows for an extra $720,000 and also gives us that extra year we needed.

We feel we have a very good chance at this funding and, if approved, we will proceed to build immediately with move-in dates for late 2011. This is not much later than what was originally planned so we are only minimally behind in our time frame. The location will still be on Regina Street, and we propose to build 24 units for rent at various rental levels. Windmill Developments will build an additional 25 Safe, EI units that will be sold as market condos. I encourage everyone to remain on the active waiting list and stay in touch with us via our website at www.ehaontario.ca/safe-housing-ottawa/

We will continue to update the site as we get news. New applicants can also apply on our website.

Warmest regards to everyone,

Linda Nolan-Leeming
Executive Director, SHO
The Board of Directors, SHO

Application Forms:

We are still accepting names to identify the need for additional housing.

Applicants are encouraged to become members of EHA Ontario, if they aren't already.

Application forms to be placed on the waiting list for chemical free housing (Ottawa) can be downloaded here: Application form 1 and Application form 2. Both application forms are to be completed by the applicant(s) and returned to Safe Housing Ottawa Inc. as soon as possible. The completed forms can be mailed to us at:

Please notify us immediately if any of your contact information changes (e.g. your mailing address, phone number, email address etc), by emailing us at
EHA Ontario Help Line.

If you think you may be eligible for subsidized housing, we suggest that you also request an "Application for Subsidized Housing in Ottawa" from The Social Housing Registry of Ottawa. Be sure to mark down "environmental sensitivities" on the medical page (if so diagnosed by your treating physician) and also select (tick box) the Barrhaven Environmental Sensitivity non-profit housing units. Return your completed form to the Registry at:

If you have any questions concerning the housing that have not been answered on this webpage, please email us at: EHA Ontario Help Line

Please stay tuned to this page, as we will update it whenever developments occur.

* This text has been created and produced by the Association pour la santé environnementale du Québec - Environmental Health Association of Quebec (ASEQ- EHAQ) and ‘EcOasis Québec –Habitat santé: Housing for Health’ for their healthy housing projects in Québec . Safe Housing Ottawa is grateful for being allowed to use the text as its Mission Statement, for a similar project being done in Ottawa.