Eradicating Poverty

by guest blogger, ​Zoey Gibson

On October 17, communities around the world will mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, a day dedicated to raising awareness of poverty and honouring people whose lives have been affected by it.

The day has its roots in October 17, 1987, when more than 100,000 people gathered at the Trocadéro in Paris, France, the same location where the Declaration of Human Rights had been signed in 1948. The gathering was held to stand in solidarity with and honour people experiencing extreme poverty, violence and homelessness. A commemorative stone dedicated to those affected by poverty was unveiled during the event.

Today, there are 53 commemorative stones around the world. Ottawa City Hall has its own, unveiled in 2004. Known as the Dorothy O’Connell Monument to Anti Poverty Activism, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing work to address poverty in our community.

Homelessness is one of the most visible and urgent aspects of poverty. At MHI, addressing homelessness is part of the work carried out every day, alongside many organizations and partners across Ottawa, including the municipal government.

In 2025, Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe pledged to end youth homelessness by 2030, recognizing that preventing homelessness among young people can help reduce homelessness later in life. Since making this commitment, the City has increased the pace of supportive housing development and significantly increased funding for affordable and supportive housing compared with previous council terms.

The municipal government is not doing this work alone. Organizations such as the Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa bring together more than 75 agencies, including MHI, from across the housing and homelessness sector. The Alliance coordinates efforts, advocates for change and works toward city wide solutions to homelessness.

As a member of the Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa, MHI participated in the 2026 Race to End Homelessness as a fundraising agency. Held on September 27, the 1, 5 and 10 km run and walk brought people together to raise funds and awareness in support of efforts to end homelessness.

Events like the Race to End Homelessness show what can happen when people, organizations and communities come together around a shared goal. As October 17 approaches, it is an opportunity to reflect on the work being done across Ottawa to address poverty and homelessness and the steps still needed to create a community where everyone has access to a safe and affordable place to call home.