Searching for Other Housing Related Services / Organizations

COVID-19 (Jun 13, 2022): Staff are still available in-person, via phone and email.

Program for low and modest income households that provides funding for major repairs and rehabilitation

• to make a house safe and housing modifications to increase accessibility

Home Repair to assist low to moderate income home owner households:

• repair their home to bring to acceptable standards while improving the energy-efficiency of the unit
• increase accessibility of their home through modifications and adaptations

Community legal clinic

• Provides legal advice Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
• Employment Law
• Human Rights Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• Old Age Supplement
• Ontario Works (OW)
• Tenant Law
• Victims of Crime
• Workers' Compensation/Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)

Does not offer services in criminal or family law (divorce, separation, custody, support, etc.), provincial or criminal offenses

Does not advise landlords

Satellite offices are located in Alexandria and Williamsburg by appointment only

Move coordination and estate services for seniors

• develop a move plan
• coordinate utilities to moving trucks
• design a floor plan for the new residence
• sort and organize belongings into keep, sell, give, donate and dispose of
• sort and pack, unpack and set up the new residence
• prepare old residence for sale, arrange for estate dispersal/disposal

In-home, non-medical supportive services

• transportation to appointments, shopping and activities
• replacement care
• friendly companionship visits
• personal care including bathing, light housekeeping, meal preparation and laundry
• assistance with downsizing and moving to a new address, as well as consulting and advocating

Community legal clinic

• Provides legal advice over the phone
• May represent individuals in courts or tribunals who meet financial eligibility criteria
• Offers duty counsel
• Information and presentations about the rights of disadvantaged people
• Promotes law reform and community development
• Does not offer services in family law (divorce, separation, custody, support, etc.), provincial or criminal offenses
• Tenant's rights, Income maintenance rights (Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, Canada Pensions Plan), Employment Insurance, Employment Standards, Energy Contracts

Legal clinic

Services

• tenant's rights
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• employment insurance denials
• Ontario Works
• employment standards
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

Assists low-income families and individuals in maintaining their housing when facing possible eviction due to rental arrears owed

• maximum of $1,000 for single applications and $1,800 for couples and families
• the funds are available until exhausted

Program for households with low or moderate incomes that provides funding for major repairs and rehabilitation required to make a house safe

Emergency repairs only

Modifications include:

• heating systems
• chimneys
• doors and windows
• foundations
• roofs
• walls
• floors and ceilings
• vents
• louvers
• electrical systems
• plumbing
• septic systems
• well water
• well drilling

Offers housing modifications to increase accessibility

• ramps
• handrails
• chair and bath lifts
• height adjustments to counter tops
• cues for doorbells and fire alarms

Housing Program

Assist, support and refer young people and advocate for youth in partnership with our communities

• provides arts and recreational opportunities, life skills education, basic needs items (food, clothing, hygiene, etc.) by qualified staff
• referrals to community agencies and housing supports

Four transitional apartments designed to provide short-term stays

• Prescott
• Kemptville
• Brockville (2)

Services provided:

• extensive case management support
• education on life skills
• support with information about and referral to community agencies
• assistance with searching for long-term housing

Support services are also provided on an outreach basis to homeless young people who are awaiting for a transitional unit.

COVID-19 (7 September 2021) Open by appointment * Food Bank operates by leaving name and phone number when calling the Food Bank Coordinator at 613-830-4347 ext 158. * For access to the other modified services, programs and contacts call 613-830-4347 or visit the website for details. Christmas program is offered for 2021 (see separate record).

Community resource centre

• information and referral
• advocacy
• crisis intervention
• individual and family counselling
• child & youth programs
• support groups
• parenting skills
• community development
• school supplies program (see separate record for details)
• type 2 diabetes program
• speech therapy for young children
• volunteer coordination
• food bank
• action housing
• Counselling Family Services Ottawa
• Employment Ontario
• First Words
• LESA
• Doyle Salewski (financial advise)
• Military Families Services
• Contact North - Online courses
• Société franco-ontarienne de l'autisme

EarlyON Centre:

• information and referrals
• early learning services and training
• playgroups

Medical health team Équipe de santé familiale communautaire de l'Est d'Ottawa

• Sexual Health Clinic

Home transition and organizing services

Home transition:

• physical help to sort through, pack and then unpack household items
• donation of unwanted items
• emotional support
• referrals to home-maintenance resources (painters, cleaners, movers, etc.)

Organizing services:

• hands-on physical help to sort, declutter, and organize a home or office
• pick up of supplies and necessary items
• project coordination with contractors, handymen, and removal/recycling company if needed

Supports families looking for a retirement or senior residence

• senior advisor will visit client's home
• assists and guides families to select the appropriate retirement or senior residence
• downsizing or moving companies
• real estate agents
• accompanies the family on tours of the various residences

Mennonite church

Refugee Assistance Program:

• sponsoring and mentorship of refugees

Refugee Housing:

• OMRA Shelter Alternatives Corporation works with the Ottawa Mennonite Church and other groups to provide affordable housing for refugees coming to settle in Ottawa
• priority is given to women-at-risk
• run by volunteers

COVID-19 (24 Oct 2022): Offices are currently closed and appointments are by phone. Some in-person appointments may be available going forward from November 2022. Call to confirm.

Free legal help to people of low income Specializes in problems involving:

• landlord and tenant law
• social assistance
• immigration
• employment insurance
• Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
• Also provides education on legal matters and is involved in various law reform issues

• helps enhance the quality, affordability and choice of housing
• works to enhance housing finance options
• assists those who cannot afford housing in the private market
• improves building standards and housing construction
• provides policymakers with the information and analysis they need to sustain a vibrant housing market

Affordable Housing Programs in Ontario: click here for information on affordable housing

Volunteer-driven national organization of low and moderate income families promoting lasting socio-economic change.Various campaigns include:

• affordable and livable housing
• Internet for All
• regulating pay day lenders
• fair banking fees
• community Investments
• income tax and benefits clinic

Mediation services

• volunteer mediators offer confidential, impartial, conflict resolution and alternative dispute resolution services to two or more people who are having a disagreement
• can help participants resolve their immediate dispute as well as give them tools to manage future conflicts
• assists participants in developing their own solutions to problems, thus creating longer-lasting agreements
• conflict coaching available when both parties do not agree to undergo mediation
• conflict resolution training workshops for community and non-profit organizations on handling conflicts, active listening, difficult conversations, relationship building

Mediation is offered in a neutral space like a library, a legion hall, etc.

Conflict coaching is offered in person or by phone, includes:

• disagreements between neighbours, family members, friends and roommates
• workplace issues in non-profit organizations and among volunteers
• community issues, interventions, and dialogue
• minor commercial disputes (e.g., with a local store)
• family issues of a non-legal nature, such as difficult decisions related to housing for aging parents or for couples who are separated, choosing the school their child is to attend, etc.
• landlord/tenant dispute resolution
• alternative dispute resolution
• elder mediation
• parenting agreements (post divorce)
• relationship issues

Does not handle:

• divorce, separation, custody or estates
• commercial disputes where significant sums of money are involved
• situations where there is a judicial/legal/court process in progress

Legal services for low-income francophones living in Ottawa in different areas of law such as:

• Immigration
• Housing (problems between tenants and landlords only)
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• Ontario Works Program (OW)
• Canada Pension Plan - Disability benefits
• Employment Insurance (EI)
• Employment standards
• Criminal injuries
• Human rights
• Family law
• Powers of attorney
• Legal name changes

Relocation planning

• senior's transitions
• downsizing
• decluttering, sorting, packing
• moving services
• resettlement - unpacking and set up
• donation disposal / junk and debris removal
• staging for maximum sale value
• family consultations and coaching

Advice line for French-speaking clients

Services

• Immigration
• Housing (tenants only)
• Human rights
• Social assistance
• Ontario Works
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• Employment rights

COVID-19 (August 18, 2022): Action Housing is adopting social contact reduction practices and partial reopening protocols during this stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Face-to-face services will be offered by appointment only, starting July 4th 2022 and onwards.

Housing loss prevention services to low and moderate income individuals and families (including newcomers)

• tools to help with housing search on private market
• subsidized housing applications
• help with housing problems like rental arrears, safety concerns, maintenance and health issues, and conflicts with landlords or others
• information on landlord and tenant's rights and responsibilities
• information on emergency shelters
• free advertisement of vacant units through our Housing Locator Program
• legal counsel for housing and discrimination and clients representation at the Landlord and Tenant Board
• advice and moral support
• help completing standardized leases

Local service locations (Not currently available, please contact the main office for information):

• Orléans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre
• Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre
• Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre
• Lowertown Community Resource Centre
• Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre
• Carlington Community Health Centre

Student Legal Aid Services Society clinic

• staffed by students and supervised by lawyers
• provides legal services to low-income members of the community
• conducts legal education presentations
• participates in a variety of outreach activities for students and many community organizations

Provides legal advice and representation on:

• family law
• tenant law
• criminal charges
• serious matters under the Highway Traffic Act and Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act

Christian interdenominational charity serving those experiencing poverty and homelessness in downtown Ottawa

Tuesday Door Service

• takeaway soup and sandwiches
• takeaway grocery hampers
• takeaway toiletries, including menstruation supplies
• pastoral care

Street Outreach

• seven evenings and one afternoon of mobile outreach downtown, providing emergency provisions and care

Innercity Arts Program

• for homeless and at-risk youth and young adults, 16-32 years old

Innercity Veterans Outreach and Support

• drop-in and support for homeless and at-risk veterans
• access to resources and literature
• phone and computer
• individualized support
• recreational activities
• refreshments

Various special events and community meals

A one-stop, drop-in service to help people with their practical housing problems

Assistance regarding:

• housing emergencies
• evictions
• maintenance and repair problems
• illegal rents

Information:

• applications for subsidized housing
• a small list of rooms and apartments to rent
• telephones to help people looking for an apartment
• help to find programs and services in the community
• help to access Social Services

Advice:

• where to go in an emergency
• what to do in case of eviction
• how to lodge a complaint about unsafe living conditions
• what to do if the rent is illegal
• what rights tenants and landlords have
• what responsibilities tenants and landlords have

Caseworkers are available to clients by appointment only.

COVID-19 (28 Jan 2021): this organization is continuing its operations for the time being.

Moving and storage services to those fleeing abuse/while a client resides in a shelter

• urgent or escorted moves including police assistance
• pet transportation available