The Toronto Star
28 Oct 1985
OTTAWA (CP) – You can’t walk far in downtown Ottawa without hearing the pounding of hammers and screams of power saws heralding the restoration of yet another old house to middle-class respectability.
The noise is not entirely welcome to local residents because almost every restoration represents a handful of people who have been displaced.
However, the sound of hammers and saws from one particular work site this summer was sweet music to longtime area residents. It meant a non-profit rooming house was being created in a newly- renovated home.
Housing for poor
It was a project of Daybreak, a non-profit, ecumenical housing service run by nine churches in Ottawa’s downtown to ensure accommodation for the poor doesn’t disappear in the rush to renovate the area.
Father Jacques Faucher, a priest at Christ-Roi Roman Catholic Church, is president of Daybreak’s 12-member board of directors, which includes lay people and clergy from each of the nine churches.
“I think the message is slowly reaching the ears of people that we need more housing for single people on low incomes – the invisible poor.
“Daybreak’s basic philosophy is that housing has to be decent in order for people to live decent lives,” Faucher says.
When the organization was founded three years ago, it had two large brick houses that it bought through grants and mortgage subsidies from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. It has also received help from regional governments and other non-profit organizations.
Since its 1982 inception, Daybreak has leased three more houses, including the one it turned into a rooming house last summer.
“At the present time, we have much more housing for women than men,” says Faucher.
“It seems there’s more demand for single women’s housing, and the demand is growing. It’s a new phenomenon to see women destitute and looking for a bed at night.”
Can’t afford rents
Although some Daybreak tenants have a history of emotional or social problems, others just can’t afford Ottawa’s increasingly high rents.
The newest residence, in fact, is geared to out-of-town students who can’t afford housing elsewhere.
“Every day we receive requests from students. The university residences are full. Private housing near the campuses is exorbitant. It’s a real crisis. So we decided to explore and see what we can do to help.”
Although all residents are expected to respect a Christian orientation in those around them, Faucher says the religious element is not emphasized in spite of Daybreak’s church background.
“If a house wishes, by general consent, to have regular prayer meetings or say grace before meals – that’s fine, but it’s up to the residents.
“The basic way Daybreak wishes to reflect the Gospel is by caring, as good Samaritans. Religion is more an inspiration for the volunteers. The residents know we care as Christians, and they know it’s sponsored by Christians, and of course they know they’ll be heard if they do want pastoral help.”
Help each other
Residents are also encouraged to help one another through different church projects.
Faucher says volunteers from all nine churches help with renovations and upkeep and put in many hours working for the organization.
Donations help pay the salary of a part-time co-ordinator and other costs. There are no live-in supervisors, although the co- ordinator holds house meetings every two weeks. Tenants’ rent goes directly to CMHC.
Residents must agree to stay for at least a year and are expected to share responsibilities for operating the house.