Jul 5th, 2023

News Release: Ottawa REDBLACKS player Dan Basambombo Gives Back to 10 OCH Communities

July 6, 2023, OTTAWA, ON – Ottawa Community Housing is excited to work with Ottawa REDBLACKS linebacker Dan Basambombo, who will give 10 OCH communities a fresh look. 

Dan will donate Pressure Washing Services and clean the windows of ground-floor homes and lounges in selected communities.  

The partnership will kick off in the senior’s community of 160 Charlotte on July 6. The community is home to 234 residents.  

Aside from his football career, Dan is also CEO and founder of Phista Technologies – a phone application that allows users to find and reserve parking spots in garages and lots. Dan’s app helps to reduce the carbon emissions and air pollution caused by drivers circling around to find a parking spot. 

As a former OCH tenant, Dan is passionate about giving back to our communities.  

Please join us at the launch event. 

What: Launch of a partnership with Dan Basambombo where he and his staff will be pressure washing the ground floor windows of 10 OCH communities.  

When: July 6, 2023, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. 

Where: 160 Charlotte Street (event to take place around the back of the building) 

Who: Dan will be joined by Greg Finnamore, Chief Financial Officer for OCH and local municipal representatives. 

Agenda: 

12:30 p.m.:        Volunteers arrive/registration. 

1:00 p.m.:          Opening kickoff. 

1:05 p.m.:           MC: Mehdi Louzouaz (Manager, Volunteer Engagement). 

1:06 p.m.:           Welcoming message by Greg Finnamore (CFO). 

1:10 p.m.:           Message from Dan Basambombo (Ottawa REDBLACKS). 

1:15 p.m.:           Pressure washing begins. 

3:00 p.m.:            Event ends. 

The event will take place at the rear of the building. *Media are welcome to attend. The best time is between 1:00 and 1:30 p.m.* 

Quotes  

“Ottawa Community Housing’s Volunteer Engagement Program relies on partnerships to complete projects that help increase tenants’ pride in the community. We think this idea is a touchdown! We know residents will be excited to see the fresh, clean windows.” 

– Brian Gilligan, Chief Community and Tenant Support, OCHC 

“Giving back to the community has always been second nature to me. I believe that everyone has the power to make this world a better place. My platform, as a professional athlete and as a business owner, allows me to inspire and give back to the community that once embraced me when I arrived. Being able to give back to OCH by creating jobs and keeping our communities clean with my pressure washing services is another great achievement of mine.” 

– Dan Basambombo, Chief Executive Officer, Phista Technologies and Ottawa REDBLACKs player 

Quick Facts 

– When was the building or community built? 1975 

– How many homes – 216 apartment units for tenants 

– How many residents:  234 residents (Senior) 

– Avg monthly income: $1,604.00 

 For more information, contact: 

Jennifer McIntosh
Communications Specialist,
Ottawa Community Housing
media@och.ca
613-914-9953 

Ottawa Community Housing Corporation (OCHC) provides approximately 15,000 homes to about 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 in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.  www.och-lco.ca | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram