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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:
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:
Following Dan’s speech, the floor was open to a diverse and powerful lineup of musicians. Act one:
A lively intermission featured good conversations and Bannock served in a variety of delicious ways. Act 2:
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.
 Odenak sets a new standard for collaboration in urban development by prioritizing Indigenous employment, trades, culture, and housing, it bridges past and future. Reconciliation is action and an ongoing process of respect, recognition, and partnership.
The Dream LeBreton partnership, with guidance from an Algonquin Advisory Committee and Innovation Seven (an Algonquin-owned consultancy), has developed a robust Algonquin Nation Benefits Plan. This plan ensures that Indigenous voices, trades, and culture are woven into every stage of the project—from design and construction to operations and long-term community building. Key commitments include:
These commitments are meaningful opportunities for Indigenous tradespeople and businesses to contribute their expertise and shape the community from the ground up. Odenak, named after the Algonquin word for community, sits at Akikodjiwan Falls, where the Gatineau, Ottawa, Rideau, and Madawaska rivers meet. For thousands of years, the Anishnabe Algonquin gathered here for trade and connection. It later became the founding site of Ottawa. The project’s design reflects this heritage. Public spaces were developed with the Algonquin Nation to celebrate culture and storytelling throughout the site. From natural landscaping and biodiversity to Algonquin artworks integrated into the public realm, every detail ties the project to the land’s history. Odenak honours the past while creating pathways for future generations of Algonquin artists, workers, and leaders.  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:
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. By Guest Blogger, Al UhryniwThere 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:
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). 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.
By guest blogger, SHeldon leongJust 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.  Friends, never doubt dreams can come true. MHI is so excited to announce our latest affordable housing project, in partnership with socially and environmentally focused developer Dream. Our proposal has been selected by the National Capital Commission as part of the development of Lebreton Flats Library Parcel! This project will build 601 new residential rental units, of which 31% will be accessible and 41% will be affordable housing (117 of the affordable units will be owned by Dream and 130 will be owned by MHI). Learn more at the NCC website below!  |
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