May 25th, 2019
News Release: Community comes together to celebrate 40th anniversary
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May 25, 2019 – Residents and community partners came together to celebrate the history of the Lowertown neighbourhood of Beauséjour on its 40th anniversary. As part of the celebration, OCHC presented some long-term tenants, who’ve lived in the community since it opened, with a certificate.
In 1978, former Mayor Lorry Greenberg, who had grown up in Lowertown, turned the first sod for the townhomes. When the first of the now 144 homes were completed the following year, the families who had been uprooted during the urban renewal were given priority to move back in the area.
Ottawa Community Housing, the city’s largest affordable housing provider, took over management of the community after the amalgamation of the City of Ottawa.
Beauséjour is now a vibrant community, who’ve organized the anniversary celebration and can boast about one volunteer who was awarded the Sovereign Medal for Volunteers.
Quotes
I am happy to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Beauséjour Community along with Ottawa Community Housing. Let us continue to work together to help everyone have access to a safe, affordable, and comfortable place to call home.
– Nathalie Des Rosiers, MPP
We are proud to celebrate this wonderful OCHC community, which has some very engaged tenants who are dedicated to building a strong and healthy community. Happy 40th anniversary!
– Stéphane Giguère, CEO OCHC
The Beauséjour community is a wonderful, diverse community that is heavily featured in the history of Lowertown. I am pleased to be able to celebrate this milestone anniversary with the tenants.
– Mathieu Fleury, Chair OCHC and Rideau-Vanier Councillor
Beauséjour Community – Highlights
- 144 homes, a combination of townhomes and apartments, built in 1979
- There are approximately 426 residents in the Beauséjour community, with children and youth representing 29% of the population
- There is an active tenant association in this community
- Community partners include:
- Lowertown Good Neighbors Community House
- Lowertown, Our Home
- Options Bytown
About OCHC
Ottawa Community Housing (OCHC) provides approximately 15,000 homes to over 32,000 tenants, including seniors, parents, children, couples, singles and persons with special needs, within many communities across the City of Ottawa. OCHC houses a diverse population of varying languages, ethnicity and cultures. OCHC is the largest social housing provider in Ottawa, managing two-thirds of the City’s social housing portfolio, and is the second largest in Ontario. OCHC was selected as one of the National Capital Region’s Top Employers for the second consecutive year in 2019.
For additional information, please contact:
Jennifer McIntosh – Communications and Marketing Specialist – OCHC- Cell: 613-914-9953