DESCRIPTION
HousingWorks is a project overseen by Operation Come Home where youth experiencing homelessness receive affordable apartment units on a scattered basis. To date there are 183 units rented by HousingWorks. Local landlords who own private-market apartment buildings provide these units, which are in turn rented to young people at equivalent rental rates. Most are single-occupancy, though 43 units have 2 or 3 bedrooms and are provided to young single mothers in the homelessness system. HousingWorks operates a 24/7 hotline with support to help youth and landlords deal with any urgent issues. Youth pay rent through personal earnings, subsidies, Ontario Works, or ODSP. The overall rental cost for units is typically between $1100 - $1550, with higher rents for 2 and 3 bedroom apartments. Rates of arrears for youth in the program are generally low, with arrears and vacancy loss accounting for 3% to 7%. The total rental cost for all units to date is $3.1M, and arrears are forecast to be $124,000 for 2026, with some funding from the City of Ottawa available to help offset arrears.
DETAILS
Affordability Framework
80% of AMR
Target Completion Date
N/A
Populations Served
Youth
Total Project Cost
$3,033,088
Total Units
183
Affordable Units
183
Project Funding
Funding Required
HousingWorks is requesting funding to help clients within the program pay arrears, to prevent housing loss and ensure they can continue to engage in the program. The requested amount is $24,500, equivalent to the amount of arrears accrued to date and for which other sources have not been found.
Funds Raised
Funds received in the past year include: ODSP: $24K, Municipal Housing Allowances: $562K, Client Payments: $81K, Children's Aid: $32K, Grants: $37K, Earned Revenue and fundraising: $8K
Use of funds
The funds will be used to support tenants in the program, helping those most at risk of default pay off unpaid arrears accrued over the last year.
Human Impact Story
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