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Honouring Community, Leadership, and Shared Purpose Each year on National Housing Day, communities across Canada gather to recognize the ongoing work of creating safe and affordable homes. This year’s event highlighted the many voices, partnerships, and commitments that shape housing efforts in Ottawa. Honouring Indigenous Voices and Traditions The program opened with The Stone Singers, whose drumming and harmonies invited attendees into a moment of reflection and grounding. Their presence acknowledged the stewardship and teachings of Indigenous communities. Following their performance, Grandmother Irene offered an Indigenous blessing that encouraged attendees to pause and recognize the importance of home, land, and connection. Her words emphasized gratitude, respect, and the relationships that guide meaningful reconciliation. Our keynote speaker, Rev. Teresa Burnett-Cole, a Haudenosaunee woman, delivered insights on the meaning of home, belonging, and community responsibility grounded in her cultural and spiritual traditions. Her keynote addressed the responsibilities communities share when working toward equity and care for all. Messages from Leaders Across Government A letter from the Prime Minister were delivered by MP Bruce Fanjoy, who spoke to the federal government’s ongoing commitments to affordable housing and collaboration with community organizations. The City of Ottawa’s message, prepared by Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and delivered by Councillor Laura Dudas, outlined the city’s priorities in housing and acknowledged the essential role of partners, donors, and volunteers in helping local efforts move forward. “Communities Building Communities”: Executive Director's Reflections MHI’s Executive Director, Ala’a Shadid, spoke on the theme “Communities Building Communities.” His remarks highlighted the relationships, partnerships, and community involvement that shape MHI’s work. He emphasized that MHI’s developments are more than physical structures—they are communities where individuals and families can build stability and connection with one another. Triple Match Donation Opportunity Until December 31 A key announcement was the launch of a Triple Match Donation opportunity, available from now until December 31. Thanks to committed supporters, every donation made during this period will be tripled, up to $15,000. This matching initiative offers donors a way to increase their impact at a time when the need for affordable housing continues to grow. Moving Forward Together National Housing Day 2025 brought together cultural voices, local leadership, and community partners. The event recognized both the progress underway and the work ahead to ensure everyone in Ottawa has access to safe and inclusive housing. As the year concludes, MHI invites community members to support this work in ways that are meaningful to them—through learning, advocacy, volunteering, or contributing to the triple match opportunity available until December 31. You can make your donation here. A few weeks ago, I was pacing around my living room, trying to find the right words for National Housing Day. As I walked, my 15-month-old son followed behind me, copying every step. It was a small, ordinary moment — but it crystallized something profound.
Even the smallest community, a family, has the power to shape and strengthen the larger community around it. That simple truth is at the heart of the work we do at Multifaith Housing Initiative (MHI). And it’s why I am deeply grateful to stand among the people and institutions who help build stronger, more compassionate communities every single day. Twenty years ago, I wasn’t even in Canada, and I spoke little English. Today, after years of living, studying, and working here, and now stepping into my role as Executive Director of MHI, I can say with absolute conviction: I am profoundly thankful to call this place home. And I am committed to giving my very best to grow our organization, support our sector, and advance one of humanity’s most essential needs — a place to belong. The Power Behind Our Name Multifaith Housing Initiative. Even the name carries within it a powerful philosophy: there is no difference between a Muslim, a Jew, a Christian, a Unitarian, a Bahai, or people of any faith. We are all equal, each deserving dignity, safety, and a home. More than two decades ago, volunteers from different faith traditions recognized a shared truth — that safe, affordable housing is not a privilege, but a fundamental human right. They didn’t just build housing. They built a movement. They embodied our vision: communities building communities. Today, we stand on the foundation they laid, and we carry their mission forward as we work to build stronger, larger, and more sustainable communities for generations to come. Looking Ahead: Creativity, Growth, and Determination As Executive Director, I challenge myself to be more creative and more determined, to honour the path of those who came before me, and to steer this organization toward its next horizon. Your partnership and support make this possible. Together, we can open doors that were once closed and turn waiting lists into welcoming homes. In the years ahead, MHI is committed to:
We also know this work cannot succeed without genuine partnership with Indigenous communities — honouring their leadership, resilience, and essential role in advancing both housing and reconciliation. Building Faster, Building Smarter, Building Together With all levels of government, faith groups, partners, builders, and donors aligned, we can accelerate approvals, lower costs, and turn plans on paper into homes on the ground faster than ever before. This is our mission. And with the help of the Almighty — and the support of all who walk alongside us — we will achieve it. A Community of Gratitude On National Housing Day, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to those who make our work possible:
Each of you is part of this story. And together, we are building something that will last for generations. Because when communities build communities, extraordinary things happen. ** Editors Note: This blog was adapted from a speech titled “Communities Building Communities” delivered by MHI’s Executive Director, Ala’a Shadid, at National Housing Day on November 23, 2025.  National Housing Day is just around the corner, and we couldn’t be more excited to invite you to one of Multifaith Housing Initiative’s (MHI) most important annual events. Scheduled for Sunday, November 24th, from 3 to 5 PM, this celebration reminds of the essential role that housing plays as a human right and our shared responsibility to ensure affordable housing for all.
As one of the three major annual events organized by MHI, alongside Tulipathon in May and the Annual General Meeting in April, National Housing Day is a time for advocacy, reflection on how far we have come, and action on how much more we need to do. Whether you are a long-term supporter of MHI or someone new to our cause, this is your opportunity to engage with others who share your passion for affordable housing and social justice. Marimba Players will be gracing us with performances, and we will learn about MHI's latest projects from Executive Director, Suzanne Le. Because this is an interfaith prayer celebration, we will hear from Indigenous Grandmother Irene Compton (cofounder of Minwaashin Lodge) and an opening prayer from Rabbi Idan Scher, Congregation Machzikei Hadas. Our keynote speakers are Rabbi Blum and Dr. Aisha Sherazi. We’ll celebrate the progress we’ve made, address the challenges that remain, and explore new ways to support those in need. The goal is simple: to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people who lack affordable housing. Join us at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building in Ottawa on November 24th and be a part of this special day of hope, solidarity, and action. Together, we can continue advocating for policies and solutions that bring us closer to achieving affordable housing for everyone. Learn more at www.multifaithhousing.ca/national-housing-day and mark your calendars now! Event Details: Date: Sunday, November 24th, 2024 Time: 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Location: Sir John A. Macdonald Building, 144 Wellington St, Ottawa, ON K1P 5B9 Please note that this is a federal government building. You will be required by security to show your personal identification and to go through a metal detector to enter the event. Please give yourself plenty of time to go through security.  I had originally written another address for this afternoon. One that talked more about our theme - the Joy of Dreaming Big. It talked about our small grassroots, our growth, and pointed out the ongoing need for us to continue to do our work of creating housing, and our role in helping to bring the housing crisis to an end. And if you want to hear that speech – I look forward to seeing you at our AGM in April. Because, like all of you, I have been watching the news. And the very distressing events that we see unfolding in front of us - every day. And like you, I experience that same level of powerlessness in the face of great tragedy. Therefore, I decided to shelve my original address, so I could speak to you more from the heart. Many of you will know that when I started with MHI back in January 2013, I had no experience in the housing industry. My background is in comparative religion. It is where I learned that people of the world’s faiths have so much more in common, in every single way, than they have differences. My master’s degree is in conflict studies. And my thesis was on genocide. This was where I learned what tools and methods could be used and implemented in a very process driven way, to create absolute suffering. I don’t think it will come as a shock to you when I say that one of the most common tools used to divide humankind throughout the history, Is religion. (Note I say Tool and not cause). Thus, my great attraction to MHI was the multifaith aspect of the charity. Here was an organization that took the markers along the road to conflict, division, and violence, and in our own small and local way – using religion as its tool, and housing as its method, walked those paths in reverse. MHI brings people together. Our religious differences do not divide us. They enrich us. I want to thank you all for coming here today. I knew you would. You will note we are in a different location than originally planned, and you might be surprised to learn that this is the National Housing Day Interfaith Service that almost didn’t happen. The security people at City Hall saw the risk of opening this weekend as too high. Today’s gathering was rescued by strong interventions of Councillors David Hill, Matt Lulloff and Mayor Sutcliff. It is thanks to them that we are here at all. And we are very grateful to them for believing in the importance of this gathering, and responding so rapidly to our SOS. Now, I recognize that for some of you, sitting in this room may feel hard. But maybe, this is exactly where you need to be. Because in my mind’s eye, of all the years we have held these interfaith services – this is the most important one. In this room. Here. Together, we stand as an example of what community should look like. Because we all belong. No matter what faith tradition you find home in, we are all part of the same human family. We don’t find division in diversity. We are enriched by it. We are enriched because of it. And because of who we are – not despite it - we have been gifted with the ability to serve the community in the most meaningful of ways. We provide those most at risk, most in need of our help, with a home. We give them a safe place to live, and a welcoming community in which to grow and thrive. A place where they are welcomed and valued. Where diversity is not just respected, but honoured. And we live those values not just in our housing communities, but in every other aspect of MHI: in our committees, our volunteer groups, our staff, our board, our Patrons – and in you. We are the Multifaith Housing Initiative. Let us be an example. Let us shine bright so that others can see us through the darkness. The world needs more MHI. So let’s give it to them. Thank you for being here. Speech Originally presented at National housing day, November 2023The National Housing Day that almost didn’t happen
MHI's interfaith National Housing Day celebration was scheduled for November 19th, 2023. The guest speakers were set, the program was printed, and the refreshments orders were ready to go. But the event almost didn't happen. As many of you know, the event was originally scheduled for Ottawa's City Hall in the Jean Pigott Hall where it has been hosts several times in the past. In light of the ongoing protests in downtown Ottawa, City hall staff deemed the location to be too risky late on Friday afternoon before the event was to take place on the following Sunday. MHI staff were in a scramble. What could they do? Thankfully the celebration was rescued by the strong interventions of Councilors David Hill, Matt Luloff and the Mayor myself (who was scheduled to speak at the event). MHI Staff and volunteers were grateful to them for believing in the importance of this gathering, and responding so rapidly to the SOS. MHI staff worked with the City of Ottawa staff to pivot to a new location; The Horticultural Building at Lansdowne Park. On Sunday, staff hit the ground running and from an outsiders perspective, no one knew any different. As they say, the show must go on. And it did. MHI's National Housing Day celebration was a resounding success; a room filled with Ottawa City Councilors, affordable housing influencers, MHI Patrons, donors, volunteers, and supporters. The event kicked off with a heartfelt welcome from Rev. Fred Demaray, MHI Patron, Canadian Baptists of ON, and Nadine El-Hawary, MHI Board Member and Membership & Outreach Committee member. They recognized our political dignitaries in attendance such as, His Worship of Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, Ottawa City Councilors Mr. David Hill, Ms. Laine Johnson, Ms. Marty Carr, Mr. Wilson Lo, Ms. Theresa Kavanagh, Ms. Chandra Pasma, as well as former City Councilor and CityShapes founder Catherine McKenney. Elder Albert Dumont of the Algonquin Nations welcomed those in attendance to the territory and touched on the deep need for indigenous housing. Imam Sikander Hashmi from the Kanata Muslim Association delivered an insightful prayer from the Quran. His Worship of Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe gave an engaging speech on the power of unity and the ability to achieve a common goal, like Multifaith Housing Initiative has done with the support of the community. The audience listened attentively as affordable housing has become a critical issue to the citizens of Ottawa. The keynote speaker, Carl Nicholson, Retired ED of Catholic Centre for Immigrants & an MHI Civic Patron, took the stage. He outlined a multi-level tier of challenges MHI will face with the expansive development projects such as Dream at LeBreton Flats and The Anchor. Two of MHI largest upcoming projects that will see MHI increase the number of units and families they serve by a significant amount. The attendees were dazzled by a young Violinist Firdaus El-Darymli who is a tenant of MHI's The Haven. Just Voices, a local choir, closed out the event with a rendition of Bill Wither's Lean on Me. Thank you to everyone who attended National Housing Day. To those who lent a hand or who simply showed up, we could not carry out our mission of affordable housing for all without you. By Guest Blogger, FRAN KLODAWSKY |
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