DESCRIPTION
OMRA will provide monthly rent subsidies to three woman-led newcomer families. OMRA will also provide settlement supports such as individually-tailored referrals to health, education and employment services. As a result, the families will have affordable housing and can concentrate on gaining the language skills or other experience required for employment and independence. This population is among the very neediest as governments reduce services such as language tuition and settlement support. The shelter allowance for a family of three is $697 while the average 2025 rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Ottawa was over $2000. This means families are crowded into sub-standard housing and entirely dependent on food banks and charity. They are extremely vulnerable to becoming homeless and relying on Ottawa’s already-overburdened homeless shelters.
DETAILS
Affordability Framework
OMRA's rent subsidies close the gap between a client's actual rent and the funding allocation provided by the federal or Ontario governments (depending on how long they have been in Canada).
Target Completion Date
N/A
Populations Served
Newcomers
Total Project Cost
$25,000
Total Units
3
Affordable Units
3
Project Funding
Funding Required
OMRA seeks $25,000 which will cover monthly rent subsidies for one year for three families (based on our average cost of $625/m) as well as laptops for family members to facilitate job searches and education. The funds are welcome any time in 2026. OMRA will not accept the families until the funds are secured.
Funds Raised
OMRA's budget was $250,000 in 2025, raised through direct donations, the sale of grocery cards to a donor list of some 300 people, grants and event-based fundraising. OMRA's anticipated budget for 2026 is similar with some $80,000 still pending. OMRA only accepts new client families as funding becomes available.
Use of funds
These funds will allow OMRA to support 3 families for 12 months
Human Impact Story
Ms. P comes to our interview with a huge smile. She only arrived in Canada a few months ago but already she is taking chef training by day, ESL by night. She is putting her new culinary skills to good use: she has a part-time job cooking at a Women’s Shelter. Ms. P says: “When Canada accepted me, I began a new life here. At first, everything was very hard for me because I couldn't speak English very well and I was far from my partner. But I didn't have time for resting because I must have a full-time job for bringing him, so I decided to do my best learning English and getting a good job. OMRA organization helped with their warm hug. Maybe my partner and I can in the future be a part of OMRA to help other people”.
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