veterans' house: the andy Carswell Building
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Veterans' House: the Andy Carswell Building is Canada’s first community house built for homeless veterans.
This pioneering project specifically targets the needs of the rising number of homeless veterans who are "living rough" in Ottawa and combines safe housing with essential on-site rehabilitation services. Our vision is to create a unique unit-style community where each of our 40 homeless or at risk veterans will have immediate access to support services from a variety of partner agencies. This supportive “Housing First” model will give our veterans on-site recovery from health, mental health and addiction-related issues. Not only does the supported housing model improve the overall quality of life but it does so in recognition of crucial and unbreakable experience of military bonds that exist for all in the military community from veterans to their families. For this Veterans' House initiative, MHI will own the Veterans' House building and manage the property. Using the Former CFB Rockcliffe Airbase Lands in Ottawa, the proposed building will comprise three floors of living space, one floor of communal space and a basement for administrative purposes. |
read all about it!Interested on an update about Veterans' House: the Andy Carswell Building? Everything you need to know is in the Veterans' House Special Edition of First Floor News: the Multifaith Housing Initiative newsletter! Check out our printable newsletter for fundraising updates, construction pictures, photo collages from major milestones, and more!
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FAQ for Veterans' House: the Andy Carswell Building
meet the veterans' house partners
MHI is building a community for homeless veterans with the help of the following committed partners:
Centretown Affordable Housing Development Corporation (CAHDCO)
CAHDCO is sharing their expertise with MHI in developing and managing the construction of Veterans’ House.
CAHDCO is Ottawa’s only real estate developer and consultant dedicated to creating not-for-profit affordable social housing. Their team of development, construction and project management experts works closely with their sister organization, the Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation, which, like MHI, builds and maintains affordable rental housing.
http://www.cahdco.org
CAHDCO is Ottawa’s only real estate developer and consultant dedicated to creating not-for-profit affordable social housing. Their team of development, construction and project management experts works closely with their sister organization, the Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation, which, like MHI, builds and maintains affordable rental housing.
http://www.cahdco.org
Ottawa SaluS
Ottawa Salus has agreed to provide onsite counselling and support services to residents of Veterans’ House.
Ottawa Salus (salus means “health and wellness” in Latin) was formed in the 1970s out of a concern that too many vulnerable adults with mental illnesses were being discharged from hospitals without adequate supports. Since then, they have tried to fill that gap by providing rehabilitation programs and supportive housing. Today, they are an organization with 100 staff, nine apartment buildings, a single-family home and two shared living homes.
https://www.salusottawa.org
Ottawa Salus (salus means “health and wellness” in Latin) was formed in the 1970s out of a concern that too many vulnerable adults with mental illnesses were being discharged from hospitals without adequate supports. Since then, they have tried to fill that gap by providing rehabilitation programs and supportive housing. Today, they are an organization with 100 staff, nine apartment buildings, a single-family home and two shared living homes.
https://www.salusottawa.org
The Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) Ontario Command and District G
RCL Ontario Command and its District G are key Veterans’ House donors, providing ongoing funding for the mental health services that will be delivered to residents by Ottawa Salus. In addition, they will help MHI develop a process to identify the homeless veterans who will benefit from Veterans’ House, which includes helping to confirm military service.
The largest service-oriented organization in Ontario, the Legion’s Ontario Command (which is made up of 9 districts) aims to honour those who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms and look after the needs of veterans and their dependants, as well as those still serving in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). One of their many initiatives is the Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund, which has provided over $1.5 million in assistance to over 500 veterans province-wide.
https://www.on.legion.ca
http://www.districtglegion.ca
The largest service-oriented organization in Ontario, the Legion’s Ontario Command (which is made up of 9 districts) aims to honour those who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms and look after the needs of veterans and their dependants, as well as those still serving in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). One of their many initiatives is the Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund, which has provided over $1.5 million in assistance to over 500 veterans province-wide.
https://www.on.legion.ca
http://www.districtglegion.ca
Soldiers Helping SoldierS
Soldiers Helping Soldiers will help MHI develop a process to identify the homeless veterans who will benefit from Veterans’ House, and they will also provide ongoing peer mentoring and support.
Soldiers Helping Soldiers is made up of serving and former members of the Canadian Armed Forces and Department of National Defence employees that works to identify and help homeless veterans. As their name suggests, their guiding premise is that veterans in need are more inclined to self-identify to serving members or veterans. Soldiers Helping Soldiers then links the veterans to available services and benefits provided by local support agencies.
The organization recently opened Top Cover, a veterans-only drop-in centre in Ottawa which provides a safe and welcoming environment for homeless veterans to gather and connect with other veterans.
https://shs-ncr.org
Soldiers Helping Soldiers is made up of serving and former members of the Canadian Armed Forces and Department of National Defence employees that works to identify and help homeless veterans. As their name suggests, their guiding premise is that veterans in need are more inclined to self-identify to serving members or veterans. Soldiers Helping Soldiers then links the veterans to available services and benefits provided by local support agencies.
The organization recently opened Top Cover, a veterans-only drop-in centre in Ottawa which provides a safe and welcoming environment for homeless veterans to gather and connect with other veterans.
https://shs-ncr.org
Helmets to Hardhats (H2H) CanadA
The MHI-Helmets to Hardhats Canada partnership was formed to encourage the construction groups involved in creating Veterans’ House to register with H2H Canada, ensuring veterans have a hand in its construction.
H2H Canada is a national charity that works to help CAF successfully transition to civilian life by connecting them to apprenticeships and jobs in skilled trades in the building and construction industry. Employers in turn benefit by hiring dedicated employees with valuable experience.
I softened the tone a bit to make it less rigid…please let me know if it’s still accurate or if the construction groups MUST be registered with H2H to be involved in the project.
http://www.helmetstohardhats.ca
H2H Canada is a national charity that works to help CAF successfully transition to civilian life by connecting them to apprenticeships and jobs in skilled trades in the building and construction industry. Employers in turn benefit by hiring dedicated employees with valuable experience.
I softened the tone a bit to make it less rigid…please let me know if it’s still accurate or if the construction groups MUST be registered with H2H to be involved in the project.
http://www.helmetstohardhats.ca
True Patriot Love Foundation (TPL)
One of TPL’s main fundraising events is an annual gala for veterans’ charities. Veterans’ House was fortunate to be one of the featured charities at their 11th Annual Tribute Gala.
TPL is a national charity supporting more than 100 organizations throughout the country (including Support our Troops, mentioned below) which offer mental health programs, summer camps for children, business “boot camps,” wilderness activities, home modifications for injured CAF members, and more.
https://truepatriotlove.com
TPL is a national charity supporting more than 100 organizations throughout the country (including Support our Troops, mentioned below) which offer mental health programs, summer camps for children, business “boot camps,” wilderness activities, home modifications for injured CAF members, and more.
https://truepatriotlove.com
Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS)
CFMWS participated in consultations regarding the design and structure of Veterans’ House, and will be instrumental in offering other avenues of support for its future residents.
CFMWS provides a range of morale and welfare programs to CAF members, veterans, military families, Department of National Defence and National Police Federation employees, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police personnel. Their stated mission is to“contribute directly to the Forces' philosophy of ‘People first, mission always’ through the provision of a full range of fitness, sports and recreation activities, family and charitable support, retail, and personal financial services that enable our members to focus on operational effectiveness and better tackle the unique challenges of military life.” They take pride in “serving those who serve.”
https://www.cfmws.com
CFMWS provides a range of morale and welfare programs to CAF members, veterans, military families, Department of National Defence and National Police Federation employees, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police personnel. Their stated mission is to“contribute directly to the Forces' philosophy of ‘People first, mission always’ through the provision of a full range of fitness, sports and recreation activities, family and charitable support, retail, and personal financial services that enable our members to focus on operational effectiveness and better tackle the unique challenges of military life.” They take pride in “serving those who serve.”
https://www.cfmws.com
Support our TroopS
Support our Troops has raised funds for Veterans’ House and has provided input into its design and structure.
The official charitable cause of the CAF, Support our Troops is a national charity that raises funds to provide support to veterans, serving members, and their families. Their assistance comes in the form of grants and loans to provide financial relief, support for families with special needs children, the “Soldier On” program which helps veterans/members recover from illness or injury through an active lifestyle, national youth camps, and more.
https://www.supportourtroops.ca
The official charitable cause of the CAF, Support our Troops is a national charity that raises funds to provide support to veterans, serving members, and their families. Their assistance comes in the form of grants and loans to provide financial relief, support for families with special needs children, the “Soldier On” program which helps veterans/members recover from illness or injury through an active lifestyle, national youth camps, and more.
https://www.supportourtroops.ca
The Canadian Veteran Service Dog Unit (CVSDU)
Thanks to the input of CVSDU, the needs of service dog owners are being incorporated into the building and landscaping of Veterans’ House. MHI will also be working with them once the building opens to help tenants in need acquire, and live successfully with, a service dog.
CVSDU is a charity that provides trained service dogs and related support to military and first responder veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and operational stress injury. CVSDU dogs are trained to respond to their owner’s signs of anxiety, wake them from nightmares, and interrupt disturbing flashbacks.
http://cvsdu.ca
CVSDU is a charity that provides trained service dogs and related support to military and first responder veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and operational stress injury. CVSDU dogs are trained to respond to their owner’s signs of anxiety, wake them from nightmares, and interrupt disturbing flashbacks.
http://cvsdu.ca
Site plans and architectural renderings
Photo albums
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Thanks to everyone who attended the Cornerstone Laying Ceremony of Veterans' House: the Andy Carswell Building. Check out the full album on Facebook.
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Progress! Check back on the regular as we update pictures of construction at Veterans' House! Our goal is to open in November 2020. Check out the full album on Facebook.
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With your generous support, hundreds of less fortunate people will gain access to safe, affordable housing and hope for a better future.
With your generous support, hundreds of less fortunate people will gain access to safe, affordable housing and hope for a better future.
