We chose 333 Montreal Road as the future site for our proposed Community Hub given its proximity to other support services, its location on a main street, its accessibility for transit users and pedestrians, and its proximity to clients currently making use of the support offered by The Salvation Army’s centre on George Street.

Over the past seven the years, we have worked with City of Ottawa staff, real estate consultants and other social services to find an ideal space. An in-depth search by CBRE Group Inc., found that 333 Montreal Road is the only available site that meets all of the criteria, which includes:

–          Proximity to key services (clinics, pharmacies, employment and medical services, day programs, etc.)

–          Direct access by transit and by foot (ideally in no more than 30 minutes)

–          Central location on an arterial road, in a mixed-use area, preferably with two access points

–          Flexibility to accommodate current and future needs

–          Ample space for parking, client courtyards, and community space

The City of Ottawa and the City’s Real Estate Department looked at alternative, Government owned, site options that already had the zoning for this type of multi-purpose facility. The result was that no suitable land options were found.

The Salvation Army’s proposed facility will provide programs and services in a healthy and comfortable environment that provides dignity, security and privacy to our clients. This model serves our clients in the best possible way as many of them require assistance in multiple ways and have very limited means to travel to various locations to obtain services. As a not for profit charitable organization and as responsible stewards of public donations, The Salvation Army has always been committed to investing every possible dollar into programs and services that support our clients and the community.

The Salvation Army in Ottawa currently has a number of programs and services in many locations around the city including Transition House on Gladstone Avenue, Grace Manor on Wellington Street and Bethany Hope Centre on Woodroffe Avenue. Our churches, which include The Salvation Army Barrhaven Church and The Salvation Army Ottawa Citadel, also provide programs and services to their respective communities.

The majority of our clients, those who are not staying in our emergency shelter beds but who are accessing our broad range of services, are asked to provide us with their address. We use this information, and specifically their postal code, as a means of identifying where they live. We have determined that 52% of our clients come from the K1N, K1L and K1K postal codes. Clients who are either homeless or unable to provide a home address, and who make up an additional 15 to 20% of our clients, are within walking distance. Our Outreach Team is also active 16 hours a day, 365 days a year and are actively driving around the streets of these communities supporting those in need.

“We expect the proposed Community Hub, and the renovated Thrift Store to have significantly positive impacts on Vanier’s business community, and will therefore be an effective contributor to the achievement of the goals of the Vanier BIA” – Shore-Tanner & Associates.

Shore – Tanner & Associates undertook an Economic Benefits Study on behalf of The Salvation Army. Benefits from the construction of the Community Hub include:

–  $53 million investment into the community through planning and development of the Community Hub

–  Creation of 375 full-time jobs for one year at the Subject Site, with a total payroll of $15 million

–  A total of 100 full-time jobs for one year in manufacturing, transportation and sales, with a payroll of $5 million

–  Expenditure of $7 million on various supplies, materials and products required for construction

–  An expenditure of $1.1 million at businesses near the Subject Site during the construction period

Benefits from ongoing operations of the Community Hub:

–  Total expenditure of $15 million, increasing to $17 million in its 5th year of operation

–  150 new jobs at the Community Hub, transferred to Vanier

–  137 full-time new jobs in other sectors with an annual payroll of $5.4 million

–  Creation of another 275 new full-time jobs

–  Demand for 7,000 sq. ft. of retail and service floor space near the Community Hub, at a total annual sales of $2.1 million

Our new facility development application asks the City of Ottawa to make an amendment to a zoning by-law that would allow a shelter to be located at 333 Montreal Road.

The City defines the development as a shelter because it will offer emergency accommodation and food, but our proposed Community Hub will also provide many other forms of longer-term health and social support, which suits a mixed-use area served by public transit.

The proposed building conforms and is considerably lower in profile than the permitted building height of the Traditional Mainstreet zone. The building design maintains all required building setbacks including interior side yards, to provide sufficient separation to abutting single-detached dwellings.  The design of the building addresses issues of height and form, separation to property boundaries and abutting dwellings, shadowing, noise and security, structured and segregated outdoor amenity space, vehicular access, loading and parking.

The Community Hub will be a well-managed, well-supervised, and a secure space that will significantly improve the current environment, inspire higher confidence of the area, and help further the redevelopment of Montreal Road.

We have consulted with Security Through Safe Design, which has provided an analysis that champions the safety plan for the proposed site.

There will be controlled access to the entire building, which offers bright and airy client-centered outdoor terraces and gardens that are secure and private. The main access corridor from Montreal Road and the entry court will be both inviting and secure, pedestrian friendly spaces.

We won’t tolerate aggressive behaviour and will call Ottawa Police if a client becomes aggressive, either inside or on the street near our centre. Front line workers and case workers are highly trained in understanding and managing aggressive behavior before it escalates.

As preventive measures, our Life Skills and Addictions services programs offer an anger management component. Our counselling and caseworkers take steps to address anger issues as part of the client’s care.

No, The Salvation Army’s Stabilization and Addictions Program is abstinence based. If individuals use drugs and or alcohol, we will work with them to find and access support through one of our partner organizations.

The courtyards are designed to provide a place for the Clientele to ‘be’ during the day and in the evening hours.  One of the courtyards provides for a smoking area eliminating the need for the Clientele to leave the site.  The courtyards will provide a space where the Clientele will want to be – the area will be landscaped and present an area of pride and ownership.  The rationale for a secure courtyard is to prevent unauthorized access and to mitigate drug solicitation / sale from members of the public.

The perimeter of the facility will include both fencing and canopy trees. The fence will restrict access and more importantly eliminate the ability for easy egress.  This includes the rear parking area that provides a safe access point for volunteers that are involved with fundraising campaigns (kettle drive etc.) as well as provides an access point for the outreach vehicles.

In researching other modern facilities, Hobin Architecture found that when quality private outdoor space is provided on-site, adjacent to other amenities such as food, services, security and programs, clients are more likely to stay on-site rather than on the street.

The Community Hub will serve our clients in the best possible way as many of them need different kinds of support and have limited means to travel to multiple locations. Through it, The Salvation Army will offer a continuum of care that provides the transitional supports – housing, addiction treatment, skills training and employment – to individuals experiencing homelessness.

The new multi-purpose facility will house residential units, specialized medical care, stabilization and treatment services, life-skills and job training, day programs, a café, and disaster relief services, as well as emergency shelter accommodations. Together, all these different kinds of support build a framework for helping people who have fallen on hard times.

The Salvation Army in Ottawa currently has a number of programs and services in many locations around the city including Transition House on Gladstone Avenue, Grace Manor on Wellington Street and Bethany Hope Centre on Woodroffe Avenue. Our churches, which include The Salvation Army Barrhaven Church and The Salvation Army Ottawa Citadel, also provide programs and services to their respective communities.

The Salvation Army consistently reviews many different models at a number of facilities across Canada and North America. We regularly review best practices and successful model implementations from these facilities, and most recently these have included models implemented in Toronto, Vancouver and Portland.

Ultimately, our common goal is to ensure shelter stays are short, and transition people from homelessness to safe and affordable housing.

The Booth Centre in Ottawa has employed a Housing First Response Team since 2008. As soon as clients walk through our doors we begin looking for appropriate housing. This program is delivered in partnership with the City of Ottawa with the goal of ending street living and matching housing vacancies to those facing housing barriers.

As the City and its partners continue to work toward ending chronic homelessness, the need for multi-purpose, state-of-the-art facilities that are ready to respond with the range of housing options and supports needed is critically important. We will continue to deliver this critical program at the proposed Community Hub to all those individuals and families seeking safe, stable and long-term permanent housing.

The Community Hub will offer a broad range of community-focused programs, in addition to emergency services including:

EMERGENCY DISASTER SERVICES

• – On-call 24/7 service funded entirely by Christmas Kettle donations
• – 50 volunteers respond to nearly 100 calls annually
• – Providing hot meals, water, shelter, clothing, service referrals, hope, comfort and counselling for those affected by disasters such as fires, floods and storms

SPIRITUAL CARE

• – Compassionate and professional spiritual and emotional support is the heart of all our programs and services
• – Spiritual care, advice, guidance, and counselling, for the purposes of developing positive and healthy lifestyles
• – Includes chaplaincy and chapel services, Sunday worship, spirituality classes, memorial services and family tracing

STREET OUTREACH AND TRANSPORTATION TEAM

• – Responding to needs of homeless and at risk individuals, providing transportation to safe and appropriate shelter facilities
• – Assisting with basic needs, including access to clothing, food and a safe place to keep warm
• – Operates from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m., seven days a week, 24/7 during extreme weather

HOUSING FIRST RESPONSE TEAM AND LANDLORD PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

• – Delivered in partnership with the City of Ottawa with the goal of ending street living and matching housing vacancies to those facing housing barriers
• – Providing assistance to individuals and families in finding safe, stable and permanent housing
• – Follow-up support to assist with housing transition while ensuring respectful tenant-landlord relations

EMERGENCY SHELTER ACCOMMODATIONS

• – For those in need of immediate shelter and support
• – Beds, meals, clothing, access to healthcare, case management and referrals
• – Number of shelter beds will reduce as chronic homelessness decreases, increasing space for other programs and services

TRANSITIONAL HOUSE

• – Short-term affordable housing support for single men of limited resources and income, while helping to transition to independent living
• – Safe and secure private furnished room for up to one year on a pay-to-stay basis
• – 24/7 on-site tools and support provided to help get individuals back on their feet and into the community

RESIDENTIAL LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM AND WORKING MEN PROGRAM

• – 4-month certificate program to help individuals create, achieve and maintain independent life goals and reintegration within the community
• – Hands-on, classroom learning and social skills development
• – Helping diverse population of men learn how to manage money, look for housing, cook, clean and prepare for job interviews

STABILIZATION AND ADDICTION PROGRAMS

• – CRA (Community Re-enforcement Approach) recovery program aimed at reducing barriers for people seeking addiction treatment
• – Individual counselling and daily group programs that motivate recovery and prevent relapse
• – 90 day program allows individuals to pursue additional treatment options and look for housing

SPECIAL CARE UNIT AND OTHER PARTNERS OF THE SALVATION ARMY

• – Operates in partnership with Ottawa Inner City Health and Dr. Jeff Turnbull of the Ottawa Hospital
• – Short stay program for individuals in need of extra help with medical, mental health or addiction challenges
• – The Ottawa Mission, Shepherds of Good Hope, St. Mary’s Home and John Howard Society are some of our key partners who provide a full range of health and social services

MONEYWISE AND LOW ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

• – Help for individuals and families with budgeting their money through coaching, trusteeship and support
• – Assisting those receiving social benefits, pensions and/or wages with money management to decrease the risk of homelessness
• – Low Energy Assistance Program available to provide emergency financial assistance to low-income community members at risk of having their utilities disconnected

COMMUNITY AND FAMILY SERVICES

• – Providing individuals and families with emergency food, clothing, household items and furniture vouchers.
• – Access to summer camp, Christmas hampers and toys for children.
• – Community Meal Line offers breakfast and brunch seven days a week, 365 days a year to anyone who is hungry
• – Community Hub will offer room spaces free of charge to the public and organizations for special events and gatherings.

THRIFT STORE AND COFFEE SHOP

• – Social Enterprise Café will be a place of welcome to the broader community
• – Employment opportunities in a supportive working environment for those seeking to get back on their feet and return to the workplace
• – Thrift Store located on Montreal Road will be renovated and rejuvenated

Our innovative approach will be different from the conventional manner for providing temporary accommodation. The design includes four different on-site housing models centred on a hub of day programs and services.

The facility would include 350 beds in total, but the emergency shelter would use 140 of them. This is 10 fewer beds than there are today. Our shorter-term clients will work with their caseworkers to get back on their feet and into their own homes.

The wider range of accommodations will be for people needing longer stays, better spaces for health treatment and life-skills training. We will provide 100 beds for men with various complex issues, 50 beds for men enrolled in a two-stage addictions rehabilitation program and 60 care beds for men with varying degrees of health-related issues.

The new facility will offer a number of community spaces to the public free of charge. A large Community Room will open to a private terrace and will be available to community members and small organizations for special events and gatherings.

Our facility will offer greater access for the community to emergency food, clothing, furniture, counselling and support and registration for our summer camps. Also available will be weekly access to chapel services and pastoral counselling. Our Community Meal Line offers breakfast and brunch 7 days a week, 365 days a year and is available to anyone. The Salvation Army will also continue to offer special holiday meals and celebrations open to all on Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving as well as a yearly BBQ in July.

The clients in our longer term programs will be participating in classes and counselling sessions daily. On any given day, there will be staff from partner agencies such as mental health workers, Public health workers and pharmacy services on site to meet with clients as necessary.

Our shorter term clients will be working with their caseworkers on a variety of goals in an attempt to get more stabilized and eventually referred to one of our in-house programs or to another partner agency program/service. There will also be access to Art Therapy classes, daily chapel services and pastoral counselling services by one of the spiritual care chaplains. It is our intent to keep all clients as busy and focused as possible.

Both temporary and longer term clients will also have access to lounges, outdoor spaces, quiet rooms, television and computer room space throughout the day.

Our clients will be provided with computer rooms, quiet reading rooms, art therapy spaces, multi-purpose rooms for events and movies, as well as a small gym. Our addictions services clients do regular outings to a local community centre for physical activity and many of our clients attend a local gym.

When we have reached our capacity for Emergency Shelter clients, individuals are referred to and supported in accessing other emergency shelters in the city. If all Emergency Shelters are full, the City of Ottawa Housing Services takes responsibility for alternative placement.

We are proud to be part of larger community initiatives in addressing many issues of homelessness and chronic poverty. We work closely with a number of partners to best support our client’s needs. As a community we work together to find the services our clients require in order to meet their goals. We will continue to work in partnership with other organizations to best serve Ottawa residents who need different kinds of support to get back on their feet.

Some of our key partners include Centre 454, Centre 507, The John Howard Society, Respect Pharmacy, The Ottawa Mission, The Shepherds of Good Hope, Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health, Minwaashin Lodge, Ottawa Withdrawal Management, Youth Services Bureau, Housing Help, The Alliance to End Homelessness and Action Logement.

The Salvation Army has strived to ensure information on the Community Hub Project is available and accessible to all members of the public. In addition to this website, which is updated with all project related milestones and information,  we have attended and participated in a series of consultations, including community public information sessions, Community Meetings with the residents of Vanier’s Place Lafontaine, two consultations with the Quartier Vanier BIA and local area businesses, and a public meeting hosted by the Vanier Community Association.

Most recently we hosted a 7-hour Public Consultation and Open House, on Wednesday, September 13th, 2017. Hundreds of community residents attended throughout the day to speak with our service providers, design and planning consultants, City of Ottawa representatives and our program partners including The Ottawa Mission, Shepherds of Good Hope, St. Mary’s Home, Inner City Health, Salus, John Howard Society and The Alliance to End Homelessness. We welcomed all members of the public to ask questions and provide feedback.

We are committed to providing our clients with accessible programs and services, which respond to their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. The opinions of our clients are of the utmost importance. We have indeed engaged and consulted with them. They are overwhelming supportive of the proposed facility at 333 Montreal Road.

The Salvation Army submitted development applications to the City of Ottawa for the purposes of building a $50-million multi-purpose, state-of-the-art facility at 333 Montreal Road on June 16, 2017.

Building the site will require planning approvals from the City of Ottawa, including an Official Plan Amendment, a Zoning By-law Amendment, and a Site Plan Control Application.

To learn more about the next steps in the development application approval process, visit the City of Ottawa website.