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.

​The holiday season is a wonderful time to reflect on the extraordinary generosity that sustains MHI’s work throughout the year. Thanks to dedicated supporters like you, families and individuals across MHI’s nine communities experience safety, stability, and belonging. One senior tenant shared that their community-garden plot has become a “vital source of wellbeing,” offering purpose, nourishment, and connection. Another participant in a creative writing workshop reflected that the program helped her “find words she didn’t know she had.” These powerful opportunities exist because of donor support.  ​

The spirit of generosity is on full display in this year’s Holiday Giving Campaign. When the campaign launched on November 23rd, donors were offered a rare double-match opportunity, made possible by the Wesley M. Nicol Foundation and the David Loeb Foundation, each contributing $15,000. The MHI community responded with such enthusiasm that both matches were fulfilled within a week, inspiring MHI to seek additional ways to maintain this momentum. Once again, supporters rose to the occasion: an anonymous donor and a Donor Advised Fund at the MakeWay Foundation each contributed $10,000 in additional matching funds. Thanks to MHI donors, all four matches were able to be fully maximized to trigger a remarkable $50,000 in matched contributions!  

While the matching funds have been fully claimed, MHI’s Holiday Giving Campaign continues through December 31st. Every donation matters. MHI depends on this annual support, especially during the holidays, when giving has the greatest impact. Your contribution builds resilient communities and helps sustain the momentum of the season. 

You can make a secure donation by scanning the QR code or clicking the blue button below

You may also choose to give in honour of someone special, celebrating your loved ones while offering the gift of home to a neighbour. 

All donations made by midnight on December 31st will qualify for a 2025 charitable tax receipt. 

Thank you for everything you have done, and continue to do, in support of low-income families and individuals. Your generosity is helping bring hope home.

​Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and a Happy New Year. 

We’re delighted to announce that Multifaith Housing Initiative (MHI) has been included in the 2025 edition of the Ottawa Business Journal’s Giving Guide, a showcase of local organizations that are building a stronger, more compassionate Ottawa. 

Being featured in the Giving Guide shines a spotlight on the need for safe, inclusive, and affordable housing and on the work we’re doing to meet that need. It’s a recognition of how collaboration between faith communities, donors, partners, and volunteers can create real impact. 

Now, more than ever, your support matters. Until December 31, every donation to MHI will be tripled, thanks to our generous matching donors. That means your gift goes three times as far to help provide housing for individuals, families, seniors and equity-deserving communities in Ottawa. 

We invite you to check out the Giving Guide and discover compelling stories of community support and hope and to join us in building homes and hope for more people across the city. You can check out the digital copy here and you can triple your online donation here.

Friday, September 26th was another inspiring evening at Barrhaven United Church, where Indigenous and non-Indigenous musicians and an appreciative audience came together in support of MHI’s Odenak Capital Campaign, raising both funds and awareness for this transformative affordable housing and reconciliation project.

Concert guests were encouraged to wear orange in honour of residential school survivors, their families, and communities, in advance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

It was a night of reflection and new beginnings, as MHI’s brand new Executive Director, Ala’a Shadid, was warmly welcomed to his first Odenak benefit concert.

Rev. Dianne Cardin, the evening’s host and a member of the Musicians for Odenak Planning Group, extended heartfelt thanks to the event’s generous sponsors. Their support ensures that 100% of attendee donations can go directly to the Odenak Capital Campaign:

• TD Canada Trust (Joint sponsorship between two Barrhaven branches and one Manotick branch)
• Scotiabank (Barrhaven branch)
• Rotary Club of West Ottawa
• Rotary Club of Ottawa South
• Barrhaven Lions Club

MHI is proud to collaborate with a team of experts dedicated to bringing the Odenak community to life. Odenak development partner, Dream, assembled a world-class design team led by Perkins & Will and KPMB Architects, supported by Two Row Architect. Dan McTavish, a Design Principal from the Toronto studio of Perkins & Will was on hand at the September 26th concert to provide insight on the vision behind Odenak’s architecture. Dan spoke about how this project blends the area’s industrial heritage with Algonquin and pan-Indigenous values, focusing on elements and concepts such as:

• The Red Road: A spiritual concept reflecting living a good life in harmony with the Creator, nature, and community.
• The land’s history: Geologic time, escarpment forms, biodiversity, and red brick symbolism.
• Gathering spaces for the Odenak community
• Biodiversity & food security: Terraces designed for native plantings and urban agriculture. Tenants will have the opportunity to grow their own food.
• Art and architecture: Odenak features a colour scheme developed with Canadian artists, turning the building into a piece of living art.

Following Dan’s speech, the floor was open to a diverse and powerful lineup of musicians.

Act one:

• Bear Fox (singer/songwriter) opened the show with a dynamic a cappella performance and heartfelt storytelling. After a childhood where she found herself wishing that she spoke more of the Mohawk language like the older generations of her family, Bear now spends time as a teacher of this language.
• Loyda Lastra (flutist) and Amélie Langlois (pianist) followed with a moving performance of "Canción de Cuna" by Samuel Zyman.
• Veronika Jovic (violinist) and Katarina Jovic (pianist) concluded the first half with Violin Concerto in C Major, Op. 48, a piece that Veronica had chosen for the joy that it brings to her.

A lively intermission featured good conversations and Bannock served in a variety of delicious ways.

Act 2:

• Beverley McKiver, (pianist and composer) opened the second half with four pieces from her striking Canadian Floral Emblems series.
• Victor Li (violinist) and Katarina Jovic (pianist) performed Gershwin’s Concert Fantasy on Themes from Porgy and Bess, Op. 19. Victor picked this piece because he feels like it highlights resilience and hope.
• Dr. Paula Conlon (flutist), a most welcome returning performer to this concert series, closed the evening with several Indigenous flute melodies. She brought several traditional flutes and was gracious enough to invite audience members up for a closer look following her performance.

Dedicated volunteers remained in the concert hall until the very end of the evening, resetting the space and counting all the generous donations that had been received. Huge thank you to all members of the Musicians for Odenak Panning Group, you are setting the standard for fun and meaningful event planning. Thanks to everyone’s thoughtful work, it was another great concert and an excellent evening.

The Musicians for Odenak concert series are a part of fundraising efforts for the EOORC’s United We Dream Campaign. To-date, a remarkable $99,082 has been raised for Odenak through congregational giving. EOORC has until June 2026 to reach their $150,000 goal.


Save the Dates – More Concerts Coming to Barrhaven United:

Friday, November 14, 2025
Featuring the Nepean Choir & a special appearance by the Manotick Brass Ensemble. This concert’s title is “Peace in our Galaxy”

Friday, December 12, 2025
​An evening of seasonal music with several church choirs, carol singing, and a moving Christmas fable. Bring your phone to help light up the night during "Peace, Peace, Peace."

Dan McTavish, a Design Principal from the Toronto studio of Perkins & Will, speaking to the audience. 

Multifaith Housing Initiative (MHI), in partnership with Toronto-based private developer, Dream, continues to make exciting progress on Odenak (formerly Dream LeBreton Flats), a landmark affordable housing development in Ottawa’s LeBreton Flats. Named for the Algonquin Anishinàbe word for “community”, Odenak integrates affordable housing, green building practices, and comprehensive social programming. This development will feature two towers with 608 mixed-income rental units of which MHI will own and operate 133 units, providing safe, affordable and permanent homes for approximately 400 low-income individuals. These 1–3-bedroom units will be rented to equity deserving groups, and tenants can qualify for further rent supplements and access wraparound community services.  

As part of MHI’s commitment to housing equality and reconciliation, 30 of these units will be dedicated to Indigenous households. Through the $1.6 million Odenak Capital Campaign, the rent for these units will be permanently reduced by an estimated $300/month, helping to alleviate the disproportionate rates of homelessness faced by Indigenous people in Ottawa. While only 2.5% of Ottawa’s population identifies as Indigenous, 19% of individuals experiencing homelessness identified as First Nations, Métis, Inuit, or having Indigenous ancestry (2024 PiT count). 

Situated between the new Ottawa Public Library and the Pimisi LRT station, Odenak will be Canada’s largest residential zero-carbon development, utilizing wastewater energy and solar power, and built to LEED Gold standards. All Odenak tenants, living in both affordable housing and market rate units, will have access to MHI’s Community Development team, offering programs and services and opportunities for health, education, employment, and social connection, fostering a thriving, inclusive community. 

Odenak construction began in late 2024 and is progressing steadily toward completion by the estimated date of December 2027, which is the same timeline for reaching MHI’s $1.6M fundraising goal in support of Indigenous households.  

Fundraising achievements to date:  

• The MHI community giving generously and consistently to the Odenak campaign in the form of one-time and monthly donations.  
• The United Church of Canada Foundation awarding Odenak with two Seeds of Hope Grants for a total of $60,000. MHI is honoured to partner with a foundation so deeply committed to building a more just and compassionate Canada. 
• The Anglican Diocese of Ottawa contributing $75,000 to the project. Archbishop Shane Parker said that the gift was “specifically to assist in the construction of 30 units for Indigenous households, as a sign of our church’s ongoing commitment to both reconciliation and affordable housing.”  
• Westview Projects Inc., Odenak’s construction manager, pledging $50,000 to the campaign and hosting a fundraising breakfast to encourage subcontractor support. Due to Westview’s leadership, State Window Corporation, Bousada Ottawa, Flynn Canada, Bellai Alliance Construction, S & R Mechanical, TL Mechanical Inc., and Sega Group Inc. have all joined with their own pledges.  
• All Saints Anglican Church in Westboro hosting a Fall 2024 fundraiser for Odenak called “Housing with Heart”, which was a lively music concert paired with a special charcuterie board reception.  
• The Eastern Ontario Outaouais Regional Council (EOORC) of the United Church of Canada launching United We Dream, which has pledged a remarkable $150,000 to the campaign. To date, $92,331 of this commitment has already been raised through congregational giving as well as an ongoing fundraising concert series. The next concert in this series is happening at Barrhaven United Church on September 26 and will feature an exciting line up of Indigenous and Non-Indigenous performers. There is no admission cost, and all donations of $25+ will receive a charitable tax receipt. Musicians for Odenak concert series – Barrhaven United Church 
• The Ottawa Central Council of the Society of Saint Vincent De Paul (SSVP) has pledged $250,000 to $300,000 to support the Odenak Capital Campaign. This is an extraordinary commitment and a testament to the good work that SSVP does in support of their neighbours. This dedicated group of volunteers have raised over $150,000 through a variety of fundraising events, including golf tournaments, Catch the Ace and from Catholic churches across Ottawa.  

Thanks to incredible community generosity, MHI has raised $1 million to-date, passing the halfway mark toward the $1.6 million goal. But there is still a significant way to go. With just over $600,000 remaining to raise by the end of 2027, your continued support is essential to make housing equality and reconciliation a lived reality. 

Every dollar you give is an investment in long-term change, and a potential way out of the relentless cycle of poverty. As a donor, you’ll be kept informed of progress, milestones, and celebration events as the Odenak community comes to life. 

Donate Today to invest in an equitable and affordable housing future! 

Interested in supporting Odenak in your own way? Whether it's a book fair, raffle, concert, or something else entirely, your event can make a genuine impact. It is also an excellent excuse to bring your community together.  

Contact MHI’s fundraising team to get started. 
Sheldon Leong – Director of Fund Development  
[email protected] / 613 686 1825 x 312 

Ella Matheson – Fund Development Coordinator  
[email protected] / 613 686 1825 x 309  

At Barrhaven United Church, melodies are doing more than uplifting hearts—they're building homes.

In support of Multifaith Housing Initiative’s newest affordable housing development, Odenak, the church has been hosting a series of fundraising concerts. The first, a resounding success, brought together music lovers and advocates under one roof, raising both funds and awareness. Read more about that first concert here.

On May 9, the second concert continued that momentum. It featured not only talented musicians, but also the voice of someone who understands the importance of affordable housing on a personal level. 

Mara, a tenant from MHI’s The Haven community, took the stage not to sing, but to speak. Her story reminded everyone in attendance what MHI’s mission is truly about:

“I think I go back to when I was at my worst and how I could not get better without first having hope and safety. I think it’s one of the most important things for people to feel like they belong somewhere. The only way that people can move forward is by having this security.”

For Mara, The Haven wasn’t just an address—it was a springboard back to herself and the life she once had.

“I think that MHI built a community at The Haven – developers build buildings, and MHI builds communities. With MHI, you give people an opportunity to become themselves, to contribute to society, to grow, and eventually, to give back.”

Mara’s ability to give back today is a direct result of having a stable, affordable home when she needed it most. Her story shows what’s possible when people are given not just housing, but a real sense of safety and belonging. That’s exactly what Odenak aims to provide for its future tenants—a place where people can start over, find stability, and eventually grow into new chapters of their lives.

Odenak will be more than a development—it will be a community where individuals and families find their footing, rebuild their lives, and eventually, like Mara, be able to pay it forward.

“Because of where I am now, I am able to give back, and that is the most precious thing, I think. Having a home, and then growing and then giving back.”

These concerts are more than fundraising events—they’re moments of connection, reflection, and shared purpose. Thanks to the ongoing support from the Barrhaven United Church and all who attend, more people will one day be able to say what Mara did: that having a home made all the difference.

There was a barely audible buzz from the amplifiers inside the sanctuary of Barrhaven United Church on Friday night March 14. A series of chords from the keyboard sounded like the opening of a hymn. Then a catchy riff. That signalled the rest of the Retrosonics to bring in their parts.

‘Walk of Life,” a song written by Mark Knopfler, and recorded by his band Dire Straits, kicked off the first of a series of concerts for the Multifaith Housing Initiative’s latest development at LeBreton Flats. 

Knopfler’s song is about a busker playing hits from the 1950s in the subway.  He was cruising through life, realizing the good with the bad. For many, the walk of life is not very pleasant with mostly negative results, especially when you are unhoused.

The Barrhaven United Church committee took on the challenge with this concert series to fundraise for Odenak at LeBreton Flats, MHI's newest affordable housing development. The first concert was designed to be simple: featuring The Retrosonics, a local band with a dedicated following, performing one set of classic rock and another of Celtic music. The evening also included a presentation highlighting the importance and necessity of these fundraising concerts.  

Sahada Alolo from MHI remarked, “what a joy it was to see people having fun on a Friday night!” And what fun they had. The last song was “The Parting Glass ,“ a very old Scottish tune that is also popular in Ireland. The song offers guests a tribute to friendship and wishes for all safe travels. When the house lights were turned on, and a successful event was over, it was time for all to go home and think about what a great evening it was.

Dancing, singing and making the first concert of Odenak a success. Just over $5,000 was raised. Money that will enable more people to enjoy their “Walk of Life.”

MHI is extremely pleased to have the support of the Eastern Ontario Outaouais Regional Council (EOORC) through the United We Dream fundraising campaign. United We Dream asks EOORC congregations to help raise funds for MHI’s Dream LeBreton Capital Campaign with a fundraising target of $150,000. To date, United We Dream has already raised over 50% of this goal and has proven success in past campaigns in support of MHI communities.* 

When speaking about why EOORC continues to support MHI's efforts to build more affordable housing in our community, and to encourage each pastoral charge to participate in this campaign, Reverend Éric Hébert-Daly, Executive Minister for East Central Ontario, Eastern Ontario Outaouais and Nakonha:ka regional councils says:   

​“From its deepest core, the United Church of Canada has understood the importance of valuing all of God’s creation and each creature as a key component of its ministry. Housing is one way we demonstrate that value and respect. Each community of faith in our region has an opportunity to make our commitment to respect and dignity tangible and real through their fundraising efforts. We respond to the world through the lens of our faith. Our world is speaking loudly to us in our current context. Let us respond with passion and enthusiasm.”  

All donations made to United We Dream are in service of MHI’s newest affordable housing development, Dream LeBreton Flats, also known as Odenak or “community” in Algonquin, and the dedication of 30 affordable units to Indigenous households. Completion of Odenak is planned for December 2027 and all amounts raised, large or small, are helping to provide safe, supportive, and permanent homes for community members in need. 

Interested in supporting EOORC and United We Dream?  
EOORC’s pastoral charges are listed in MHI’s United We Dream Directory. You can select your team from the list and head directly to their page to make a secure donation: www.multifaithhousing.ca/united-we-dream

Thank You to the United Churches that have and continue to support this project:  

• United Church of Canada Foundation  
• Anonymous donor from Glebe-St. James United Church  
• Bells Corners United Church  
• Emmanuel United Church  
• Barrhaven United Church  
• Woodroffe United Church  
• Glen Cairn United Church Women  
• Smiths Falls Trinity United Church  
• Rideau Park United Church  
• Manotick United Church  

Raising Funds and Awareness 
Each Pastoral Charge is encouraged to support United We Dream in whichever manner they wish. Some options include hosting an United We Dream Sunday Service, inviting MHI staff to present to their congregations about Odenak, and planning their own fundraising events. Don’t hesitate to let MHI and the EOORC community know what your pastoral charge is doing to contribute to the 30 units of affordable Indigenous housing at Odenak. If you need any additional content or resources, you can reach out to MHI at any time.  

Two Upcoming Events in Support of United We Dream:  
March 14 – Barrhaven United Church Concert (part of an ongoing series)  
April 11 – Knox United Church Concert – more details to come HERE 

If your Pastoral Charge would like to schedule an MHI Staff member to come and speak to your congregation about Odenak, please contact: 
Sheldon Leong – Director of Fund Development 
[email protected] / 613 686 1825 x 312  

Ella Matheson – Fund Development Coordinator  
[email protected] / 613 686 1825 

*When the United Church Presbytery set a fundraising goal of $100,000 for MHI’s The Haven, their contributions totaled $117,000, and when EOORC set a goal of $150K for Veterans’ House: the Andy Carswell Building –United We Stand Capital Campaign, they raised over $350,000 (including matching funds from Commissionaires Ottawa).

The CRA has confirmed that they will extend the deadline for donors to claim eligible gifts on their 2024 personal income tax return to February 28, 2025. Inspired by this news, we are pleased to announce that we are extending MHI’s deadline for our donation match opportunity. From now until February 28, 2025, each new monthly donor who signs up to invest in our Dream LeBreton project for a minimum of $15 per month for at least 12 months, will trigger a one-time $100 contribution from the Wesley M. Nicol Foundation.

​The Dream LeBreton project, also known as Odenak or “community” in Algonquin, will help address the growing homelessness and affordable housing crisis in Ottawa. Construction is already underway on the 608-unit Odenak project, in which MHI will own and operate 133 affordable units. We are dedicating 30 of these units to Indigenous households.

Join our community of monthly donors by February 28, 2025, and you will help trigger an additional $100 to help low-income families and individuals achieve a secure place they can call home, providing the vital conditions that will enable them to succeed and thrive.

We need your help to reach our goal of 150 new monthly donors. Please consider signing on to become a monthly donor now

We are thrilled to highlight our new partnership with Meridian Credit Union!  
 
This fall, Meridian Barrhaven Branch Manager, Art Kirkwood reached out to our Director of Fund Development, Sheldon Leong to explore opportunities for collaboration. Meridian Credit Union is passionate about community support and recognized MHI as a potential partner through our dedication to providing safe, permanent, and affordable housing to individuals experiencing homelessness. Art spoke to Sheldon about their company’s aim to make a meaningful charitable impact and the best ways for Meridian to help to uplift the MHI community.
 
Throughout the month of December, Meridian ran a community support drive to benefit residents of The Haven. Thanks to the generosity of Meridian Credit Union clients, Art and his colleagues came to personally deliver priority non-perishable food and personal care items to The Haven during the holiday season. Art, and fellow Meridian staff members Gustavo and Robin, also helped to spread a little holiday cheer as they joined us at our Haven Christmas celebration.
 
In addition to providing this welcome support to families and individuals at The Haven, Art also applied for Meridian’s Good Neighbour Program on behalf of MHI. The Good Neighbour Program enables local Meridian teams to address issues experienced by individuals facing economic barriers. Through this program, MHI received $1350 from Meridian to go toward our Dream LeBreton Flats Capital Campaign.
 
We are fortunate to have Meridian’s support for our current residents, as well as their support to help house future residents through our capital campaign.  Says Art "Meridian is proud to partner with the Multifaith Housing Initiative to support The Haven tenants. Through our Good Neighbours Program, our participation in the Dream LeBreton Flats Capital Campaign further underscores our commitment to creating sustainable and inclusive housing solutions. These initiatives are integral to our Meridian For Good strategy, dedicated to fostering positive change and building stronger communities."
 
MHI extends a heartfelt thank you to Meridian Credit Union, and to Barrhaven Branch Manager Art Kirkwood, for this generosity and advocacy. We are greatly looking forward to more opportunities to collaborate in the future. May we continue to use our individual strengths to come together to best support our neighbours. 

From left to right: Meridian District Vice President Mark Ostland, MHI Director of Fund Development Sheldon Leong, and Meridian Barrhaven Branch Manager Art Kirkwood. 

Seeds of Hope- Beauty and Abundance at Multifaith Housing, The Haven

Barrhaven United Church is pleased to share the good news of the Grant we received from the United Church Foundation, Seeds of Hope Program for the summer of 2025. Dr. Sahada Alolo was very helpful in submitting our application as she knows The Haven and its residents well. This Grant will enable us to hire an Agricultural Student to lead in the maintenance and upkeep of the resident’s areas at The Haven. Residents and volunteers will work together to integrate native plants, pollinator friendly plants and where possible vegetables. 

As part of our commitment we are looking for financial donations to assist us in raising 50% of the Grant money. To this end we are asking other faith communities or individuals if they would like to make a donation, large or small, to assist in raising $1,000 to $1,500. We have also reached out to other faith groups in the Barrhaven area and to local businesses.

If you are able to assist, please make your donation by cheque to Barrhaven United Church with a memo notation: Seeds of Hope.    This could be mailed to:  Barrhaven United Church, 3013 Jockvale Rd, Nepean, ON K2J 4E4 or e-transfer to BUCenvelope.sec@gmailcom
With thanks for your support

Just down the street from the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa’s office on Bronson Avenue in Ottawa, and beside Ādisōke, the new Ottawa Public Library that’s currently being constructed, two apartment towers will soon break ground. Once built, Multifaith Housing Initiative (MHI) will own and operate 133 units, ranging from 1-3 bedrooms. A total of 603 units will be built, in partnership with Dream Unlimited, one of Canada’s leading real estate companies based in Toronto.

Bishop Shane Parker has played a leadership role in supporting the Dream LeBreton project, and enabled a $75,000 donation made earlier this year by the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa, in support of MHI’s $1.6M capital campaign that will dedicate 30 units of the 133 to Indigenous families, as part of the church’s ongoing commitment to both reconciliation and affordable housing.

True to the multifaith spirit of MHI and given our current housing crisis, Bishop Shane believes that this new development is something all faith groups can get behind. Leading by example, he is encouraging other faith leaders and groups to think about how they can support this important development. Bishop Shane said “I believe there is considerable interest in collaborating to show support for the project, with the hope of raising awareness and donations, and, very importantly, to demonstrate solidarity and friendship among the faith communities in Ottawa as we share in making the world a better place.

Over 22 years ago, faith leaders representing multiple religions in Ottawa came together and helped realized a dream. MHI was created to tackle the issue of homelessness in our city and today, 134 families have a safe, affordable and permanent home. Sadly, two decades later, affordable housing remains a dream for many living our nation’s capital but it doesn’t have to be. Inspired by the generosity and commitment of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa, we are once again calling on our members and the Ottawa community at-large to help realize another dream.

Learn more about MHI's Dream at LeBreton Flats here.