As part of our Black History Month series, we asked MHI employees and tenants what it means to be black in Canada? What are your personal experiences and what does Black History Month mean to you? Stay tuned for the responses posted during the month of February.

As a Black, Muslim, hijab wearing woman, the journey was far from easy. Anti Black racism, Islamophobia, and systemic barriers stood in the way of my career advancement, yet I remained committed to contributing meaningfully to the Canadian social fabric. Despite these adversities, giving up was never an option; each challenge only strengthened my resolve to make a positive impact. Over the years, I have been fortunate to serve in various capacities across different sectors in Ottawa, each role allowing me to give back to the community that has become my home.

​My commitment to this work has also been deeply personal. As a mother of three sons growing up in Ottawa, it has always been important for me to help build a society where my boys and all Black children can access equitable opportunities and thrive without limitations placed on them by prejudice, bias, racism, and discrimination. This is why Black History Month holds such significance. It offers a moment for all Canadians to pause, understand, relearn, and reflect on the contributions, resilience, and lived experiences of Black people in this country. It reminds us that our stories are woven into Canada’s foundation and that honouring them is essential to building a more just, inclusive, and equitable future for generations to come.

Multifaith Housing Initiative is pleased to share an upcoming concert in partnership with MacKay United Church, featuring acclaimed jazz guitarist Mike T. Kerr.

Following a recent meeting with Peter Woods, Minister at MacKay United Church, we were excited to learn about an opportunity to co-host this special event. After hearing more about MHI’s mission and impact, Mike T. Kerr generously offered to donate a portion of ticket sales to support MHI’s work providing safe, affordable housing in Ottawa.

The concert celebrates the release of Mike T. Kerr’s latest album, Late Night Libretto, described as “a jazz guitar love letter to Canada’s live music scene.” He will be joined by special guests Aretha Tillotson, Bruce MacKinnon, and Jared Higgins for what promises to be an intimate and memorable evening of live music.

Event details
Date: Friday, February 27, 2026 
Doors open: 7:00 PM | Show starts: 8:00 PM
Location: MacKay United Church, 39 Dufferin Rd, Ottawa
Tickets: $25
Cause: A portion of proceeds will be donated to Multifaith Housing Initiative

The event will be promoted through Eventbrite and other channels, with MHI proudly included on promotional materials. We look forward to sharing the event with our members, partners, and supporters—and hope you’ll join us in spreading the word and enjoying an evening of great music for a great cause.

Purchase your tickets here

Thank you to everyone who helped make our recent Holiday Giving campaign such a success. Your generosity and kindness are making a real difference for individuals and families in our community who need safe, affordable housing. Together, you helped us achieve something truly remarkable, a grand total of  $144,156.

Thanks to your support, this campaign became our most successful holiday fundraiser ever, a meaningful milestone for MHI. With your contributions, we not only met but exceeded our fundraising goals, demonstrating the power of collective action and community compassion.

This year’s campaign was especially impactful because of the incredible response to matching gifts. Early matching commitments from The Wesley M. Nicol Foundation and The David Loeb Foundation, each contributing $15,000, were fully matched within just one week. As momentum grew, additional matching support from an anonymous donor and a Donor Advised Fund at the MakeWay Foundation helped unlock even more impact. In the end, every match was fulfilled, significantly amplifying the generosity of our supporters.

Because of you, generous gifts poured in from across our network. Your belief in MHI’s mission delivered record breaking results and raised an outstanding amount, far beyond what we had hoped. This success sets a new benchmark for what we can accomplish together and directly supports the creation and preservation of safe, affordable homes, helping people remain in the communities they call home.

Affordable housing is more than just a roof overhead. It is the foundation for stability, health, and opportunity. Every dollar you gave helps maintain safe homes for families and seniors, provide vital rent subsidies for those navigating today’s challenging housing market, and support community programs that provide well being and security.

Your generosity reaches far beyond this campaign and continues to shape the lives of the individuals and families MHI serves every day. Thank you for your trust and belief in our mission.

Multifaith Housing Initiative (MHI) is deeply grateful to have received a recent $5,000 donation from St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, made possible through its long-running Loblaws gift card fundraising program. At the heart of this fundraising effort is Peggy Lister, whose dedication has supported the community in many ways.

Peggy has been a member of St. John’s for 55 years and a founding member of the St. John’s Affordable Housing Committee when it was established in 2005. Although the committee has grown smaller over time, its work has endured, largely due to Peggy’s commitment, care, and meticulous attention to detail. With support from her longtime collaborator and friend, Mary Frances Marshall, Peggy is the “go-to” person for the gift card program. She oversees bulk purchases, tracks prepaid orders, and ensures that every dollar raised benefits organizations such as MHI.

These efforts led to this year’s $5,000 contribution to MHI, funds generated simply by people buying groceries in a way that gives back. MHI is fortunate to have received support from this program since 2014. Peggy attributes the success of the program to careful planning and consistency. “I like numbers that work out,” she says. “Balances that work. It gives me pleasure.”

Peggy believes safe, permanent, and affordable housing is key to keeping people alive and healthy. At 84, she continues to volunteer about 30 hours a week. Peggy is the volunteer coordinator for St. John’s Community Shop, serves as the church’s Envelope Secretary, supports Cornerstone Housing for Women, and plays a leadership role with the Refugee Ministry Office of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa, helping welcome more than 100 refugees each year.

Peggy Lister is deeply curious about how things work and approaches the world with care. When asked what keeps her feeling hopeful, Peggy mentions the weekly leadership of St. John’s Pastor and Rector, the Reverend Canon Gary van der Meer, who reads about what is happening in the world and gives others a way of processing it. “Every single week, I appreciate the act of making sense of things,” she says. “When faced with big challenges, we can strive to be helpful and take care of one another in community.”

Looking to the future, Peggy is mindful of the need for eventual transition and succession planning, though it is hard to imagine any one person fully replacing the dedication and oversight she brings to her work. Her story demonstrates that meaningful change often comes from persistence, organization, and showing up, month after month, year after year. Leading by example, Peggy shows that there are many ways to support affordable housing, and that every sustained effort, truly matters.

**Download the Agenda, Previous Minutes, Slate, and Annual Report here**

MHI’s Annual General Meeting is Approaching

Mark your calendars! The in-person Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Multifaith Housing Initiative is scheduled for Sunday, February 8th, 2026, at First Baptist Church, 140 Laurier Ave W, Ottawa, ON K1P 5J4.

There is no need to register in advance—just arrive at 1:30 pm to complete your registration before the meeting begins.

Schedule:
Registration: 1:30 pm
Meeting: 2:00 pm
Reception: 3:00–4:00 pm

Voting Members:
If you are your faith group’s official MHI delegate, your attendance is required to vote. Often, several people from each congregation attend the AGM—the more, the merrier! However, please ensure one person is appointed as your designated voting member.

Why Attend?
The AGM is one of MHI’s three major annual events, alongside the Tulipathon and National Housing Day. It’s an opportunity to come together, celebrate our diverse and inclusive community, share experiences, and strengthen connections.

Expect engaging speakers, insightful presentations, and some well-deserved treats! From the President’s summary of the year to the Executive Director’s message, the AGM promises to be both informative and inspiring.

MHI’s 24th Annual General Meeting
February 8th, 2026 | 2:00–4:00 p.m.
First Baptist Church, 140 Laurier Ave W, Ottawa, ON K1P 5J4