Nov 2nd, 2015

OCH Partners with Carlington Community Health Centre to Build a New $13M Health Hub for Seniors

Ottawa – Monday November 2, 2015 – Following a very important announcement by the City of Ottawa earlier today, Ottawa Community Housing Corporation (OCH) in partnership with Carlington Community Health Centre (CCHC) are excited to confirm the construction of new Health Hub with 42 new homes for seniors – the first of its kind in the city. The project was awarded $4.6 million in capital funding under the Investment in Affordable Housing Program by the City of Ottawa.

“I am thrilled to announce the construction of this innovative facility – not only is it being built in Ottawa, but it is the first in the province. The work behind the Carlington Health Hub joint proposal was significant. An incredibly dedicated group of individuals from both organizations not only recognized but seized the opportunity that led to this submission,” said Councillor Mathieu Fleury, Chair of the Board for OCH. “The Health Hub is specifically designed to provide affordable housing as well as a wide range of medical services and supports conveniently on site to help keep seniors in their homes longer,” added Councillor Fleury.

“Our proposal was developed in a collaborative partnership involving CCHC. It is the quintessential example of a community partnership that came together with the same objectives; to build new affordable homes for low-income seniors, while integrating primary medical care and support services under the same roof. It will be a model for integrated housing care,” concluded Stéphane Giguère, CEO of Ottawa Community Housing.

“This innovative approach of providing affordable housing and services in the same building allows seniors to age in place and takes the pressure off long term care facilities and hospitals,” said Cameron MacLeod, Executive Director, Carlington CHC. “It’s in line with the Local Health Integration Network’s (LHIN’s) vision to have emphasis placed on preventing illness and keeping people healthy at home in communities where they live, by giving them ready access to a “service hub,” concluded MacLeod.

The project is set to begin in 2016. OCH will lead the construction work as well as manage the new facility. Operating costs will be shared between OCH and CCHC. It will offer a four- storey addition to the existing Carlington Community Health Centre. The ground floor of the new addition will house a medical clinic. The upper floors will each include 14 seniors’ apartments for a total of 42 new one-bedroom homes. Each residential floor will have common amenity space, with laundry, kitchenette and seating for communal gatherings plus balconies to give each floor access to outdoor spaces.

This project expansion and renovation by OCH and CCHC represents a total investment of approximately $13 million. In addition to the capital funding being provided under the federal-provincial Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) for Ontario Program and the City of Ottawa’s 2015 Action Ottawa, OCH will fund $3.5 million and CCHC will contribute the remaining $4.8 million. This project would not be possible without the financial support of the City of Ottawa, the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada.

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About OCH
Ottawa Community Housing Corporation (OCH) provides affordable rental housing to approximately 32,000 residents. OCH is the largest social housing provider in Ottawa, and the second largest in Ontario. It provides almost 15,000 homes for seniors, parents, children, singles and persons with special needs in 164 communities. www.och-lco.ca

About CCHC
The Carlington Community Health Centre serves the community of Ottawa by providing invaluable community resources for people struggling with mental health and addictions challenges; families with low incomes; new immigrants; youth; isolated seniors; and other vulnerable populations.

Media Contact:
Melany Chretien | Manager, Corporate Communications Ottawa Community Housing | Tel: 613-296-2651 media@och.ca |  @och_lco