40 Tenants Temporarily Displaced Due to Flooding

February 6, 2023

During the weekend’s bitter cold temperatures, a sprinkler pipe burst at one of Ottawa Salus’ independent living apartment buildings on Saturday morning. This building on Athlone at Scott provides supportive and deeply affordable housing for 40 tenants with mental health and substance use health challenges. All tenants have limited income and many receive ODSP.

The building was flooded and is uninhabitable. Staff responded immediately. The building was evacuated Saturday and tenants have all been temporarily re-housed. Some tenants are in hotels and some are with family.

This afternoon, there will be an opportunity for the media to tour the building, see the extent of the damage, and speak with the Executive Director and support staff. We are also working with a displaced tenant to be available for an interview.

Salus is still learning the extent of the damage, how long repairs will take, and what the costs will be. Tenants have temporarily lost their homes and had to leave most of their possessions behind. This is very upsetting, particularly for people already living with mental health and substance use health challenges.

Most tenants did not have tenant insurance. The cost to temporarily house tenants is significantly higher than what insurance will cover. Some tenants had already stocked their fridge for the month. All need financial support to replace food they left behind. Many left possessions behind that have likely been destroyed. 

Ottawa Salus is appealing to the community for emergency financial support. 

With all staff and tenants displaced, Salus cannot receive and sort donated food or items. Financial support is needed. https://www.salusottawa.org/support-salus/