Supportive Housing
HELPING TO REDUCE HOMELESSNESS AND TRANSFORM LIVES
The Halifax Particular Council (HPC) of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SSVP) is excited to announce that it has begun construction of a new $15 million supportive housing project at 2445 Brunswick Street, in Halifax, right next door to its soup kitchen, Hope Cottage.
Project Description
The 26,045 square foot wood-framed building will have 4 floors and an exterior that complements neighbouring structures. It will have 38 private living units (33 studio & 5 one-bedroom), ranging in size from 370 to 500 square feet. All units have kitchenettes and private bathrooms. The building will have common areas, storage units, housing support offices, elevator, and a common kitchen and laundry room. Ten units, and all common areas, will be accessible. Additional features include an access control system, secure bicycle parking and an exterior patio & BBQ area.
Tenancy - Deeply Affordable
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Tenants will be offered permanent housing and be drawn from the By-Name List of the Halifax Regional Municipality’s population experiencing homelessness.
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Tenants will be 50 years of age or older, with 25% of the units reserved for women.
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African Nova Scotians, Urban Indigenous and those with health issues will also be prioritized.
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Tenants will be required to sign a lease with a rental rate tied to 30% of their income.
Partnerships
The facility will be operated and managed by the North End Community Health Centre, which operates similar facilities in the area.
The project was made possible through capital funding provided by:
- Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC); administered by Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM)
- Province of Nova Scotia, and
- Infrastructure Canada, administered by the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia (AHANS).
The Department of Community Services (DCS) of the Province of NS, will provide assistance with funding during operations.
History of the Property
The first known use of the land was the construction of the William Merkel house in 1868. The property was later purchased by the Archdiocese of Halifax in 1882. Following renovations, the property was used to support those in need until 1975.
For over 70 years, the Sisters of Charity operated the St. Joseph’s Orphanage and the Home of the Guardian Angel, but in 1955, with funding by SSVP, the building housed destitute men. The property was sold in 1981 to private interests and the house was demolished in 1996.
In 2010, the SSVP purchased the property and attempted, unsuccessfully, to develop a recovery center. The property remained a parking lot until 2019 when The Friends of Hope Cottage proposed a housing development for HRM’s growing homeless population.
Origin of the Project
The HPC embraced the idea of a housing development and incorporated it into its strategic plan in 2019. This led to multiple meetings with government entities and community groups to explore the idea of a supportive housing development.
In January 2022, the HPC submitted a proposal to HRM, the local administrator for the CMHC Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI). In March of 2023, the HRM City Council approved the proposal and following CMHC’s approval, the RHI funding was awarded to HPC. Construction commenced on October 25, 2023.
This project is a Special Work of the Halifax Particular Council
Ozanam Place is part of the 13 Houses Campaign of the global Famvin Homeless Alliance – Helping to end Homelessness, “One house at a time”.