Ottawa Salus celebrates opening of innovative supportive housing residence for aging adults

OTTAWA, ON — Ottawa Salus recently celebrated the official opening of Capilano, a new 54-unit supportive housing residence for older adults experiencing complex mental health, substance use health, housing, and physical health challenges.

Supported through the Government of Canada’s Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) and made possible through Opening Doors to Dignity — the most successful capital campaign in Ottawa Salus’ history — Capilano was developed in response to a growing and often overlooked gap in housing and care for people who are aging earlier and differently than traditional systems are designed for.

The residence provides permanent housing combined with onsite wraparound supports designed to help residents age in the right place with stability, dignity, connection, and improved wellbeing. Residents will also have access to specialized clinical services, programming, and opportunities for community reintegration intended to reduce isolation and support long-term housing stability.

Many future residents have experienced a lifetime of homelessness, poverty, trauma, mental health challenges, and substance use health challenges, resulting in complex health needs and premature aging. Capilano was intentionally designed for people who require more support than housing alone can provide, while still benefiting from the independence and connection of community living.

Built to Passive House standards, the building incorporates durable, high-quality materials and sustainability-focused features intended to reduce long-term operational costs and support long-term stewardship of the building. Features include rooftop solar panels, triple-pane windows designed for in-house maintenance, and low-impact pest control systems.

Capilano reflects a growing recognition that supportive housing plays a critical role in helping people age with dignity, improve wellbeing, and remain connected to community. Residents are expected to continue moving into the building over the coming weeks.

Quotes

“The federal government is committed to helping communities develop local solutions to address the housing crisis. The projects announced today will provide more safe, affordable homes for the residents of Ottawa. I’m proud of our government’s involvement , and of the tangible difference it will make for people in this community”

– The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada

“Capilano reflects what is possible when governments, donors, healthcare and community partners, and local organizations come together around a shared commitment to dignity, stability, and belonging. This residence was created in response to people whose needs have too often fallen between systems, and we are proud to see a new model of supportive housing take shape here in Ottawa.”

— Mark MacAulay, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ottawa Salus

Quick facts

  • Capilano is a 54-unit supportive housing residence located at 56 Capilano Drive in Ottawa.
  • The project was supported through the Government of Canada’s Rapid Housing Initiative.
  • Opening Doors to Dignity was the most successful capital campaign in Ottawa Salus’ history.
  • Capilano was designed to support older adults experiencing complex mental health, substance use health, housing, and physical health challenges.
  • The residence combines permanent housing with onsite wraparound supports, specialized programming, and opportunities for future healthcare integration.
  • The building was constructed to Passive House standards and includes a range of sustainability-focused design features.

About Ottawa Salus

Ottawa Salus is a leader in supportive housing and mental health services in Ottawa, supporting more than 1,000 individuals annually across approximately 15 residences and programs. Through supportive housing, wraparound supports, and collaborative partnerships, Ottawa Salus works to improve housing stability, wellbeing, and community inclusion for individuals experiencing complex mental health and housing challenges.

Update on the Partnership for the Byng Drive Supporting Housing Development

 

OTTAWA, March 24, 2026 – Ottawa Community Housing (OCH), Ottawa Salus, The Royal, and Matthew Perry House (MPH) are providing an update on the supportive housing development planned for Byng Drive.

Through constructive discussions, Ottawa Community Housing, Ottawa Salus, The Royal, and Matthew Perry House mutually agreed that the partnership would not continue in its original form. This decision was made amicably, with shared respect for each organization’s mission and priorities.

All partners recognize the significant and ongoing need for supportive housing and services for individuals and families impacted by substance use disorders. There is shared appreciation for the early contributions that helped bring attention to this important work.

The Byng Drive development is moving forward as planned, supported by strong collaboration among core partners; Ottawa Community Housing, Salus, and The Royal. The project team is united in its commitment to delivering much-needed supportive housing, centered on wellness and recovery. Planning and design activities continue to progress as expected, including the land-lease process and upcoming procurement milestones.

As part of this transition, the project will move forward under a new name. Updated naming and branding will be shared as planning continues and at an appropriate project milestone.

Media Contact: 

Allie Lee
Director of Communications and Public Affairs
Ottawa Salus
alee@salusottawa.org
613-277-8361

Chantal Genova  
Manager, Media Relations and Public Information
Ottawa Community Housing  
media@och.ca
343-997-5700

Andrea MacLean  
Director, Communications and Community Engagement
The Royal
anmaclean@theroyal.ca
613-316-9442

Kayla Folo
Marketing and Communications Manager

Matthew Perry House
kfolo@matthewperryhouse.ca

519-993-1056

 

Press Release: Salus’ claim against Intact Insurance

Ottawa Salus files lawsuit after Intact Insurance tries to force supportive housing charity into taking millions less than they are rightfully owed, leaving 40 people with severe and persistent mental illness in shelters

Intact Insurance delaying and operating in bad faith following a devastating flood at Salus’ affordable supportive housing

June 4, 2024 (Ottawa) — Salus today announced it filed a lawsuit and is taking Intact to court after the insurer failed to cover the reconstruction of its building on Athlone.

In 2023 Ottawa experienced its coldest February 4th in 100 years. A pipe froze and sent 20,000 litres of water cascading down walls and rendered Salus’ supportive housing building on Athlone unlivable for its 40 tenants with mental illness. 

For nearly a year and a half the building has remained vacant during a housing crisis while Intact Insurance has delayed and operated in bad faith – trying to bully and force us into taking $4.3M less than we’re rightfully owed – dollars we, as a charity, need to house and support people living with severe and persistent mental illness.

The independent building contractors that have examined the site say it will cost about $7.5M to restore the building, replace what was lost and ensure it meets the current code. Intact Insurance has sent Salus only $3.2M to rebuild, relying upon their assessors who visited only briefly. 

The insurance company openly acknowledges that its proposal will not meet the current code, which would never pass inspection.

Replacement cost policies are much better than any other policy and that’s what we paid for. Our $40M replacement cost policy means the insurer has to pay for whatever the cost of replacing the damaged property is — rather than paying a lower amount on an adjusted cost basis, which reduces the amount an insurer needs to pay.

Intact’s actions amount to a bullying form of financial blackmail. They lowballed offers, then created one delay after another, all to grind Salus down, attempting to make the charity desperate and left with no option but to give in. It’s wrong and it comes at enormous human expense. 

The previous tenants who were flooded out in February 2023 have settled into new permanent homes. Salus is ready to welcome 40 more people from the shelter system. If construction doesn’t start within a month, the building cannot be restored by this winter, leaving 40 people in the overloaded shelter system during the coldest days and nights of the year. 

Intact insurance is standing between 40 people with serious mental illness in shelters and the life-changing stability of supportive housing.

The longer Intact Insurance delays, the more pressure is exerted on Ottawa’s shelter and homeless infrastructure. This system is bursting at the seams. The demand for our 40 affordable supportive housing units is enormous. And Intact is the only thing standing in the way.

“For nearly a year and a half, Intact has operated in bad faith – trying to bully and force us into taking $4.3M less than we’re rightfully owed,” said Mark MacAulay, CEO of Ottawa Salus. “They don’t care that it could cripple our finances. They don’t care that it will keep 40 people in shelters and struggling on the street during a housing emergency. They don’t care at all. So we’re taking them to court. We’re going to make them pay up.” 

Salus incurs $45,301/month just in carrying costs every month this drags on — For the building’s mortgage, insurance, maintenance staff, etc. These are a mix of costs that would have been offset partially by tenant rent, rent supplements and program funding. Salus is paying $45,301/month for a building nobody can live in. They are slowly draining their reserves to cover it.

Salus needs and deserves action, so was left with no choice but to file a $55M lawsuit. Salus paid monthly premiums on a $40M policy and deserves to be treated fairly. And they want this $40B insurance company to step up and pay the claim. So that Salus can get 40 people out of shelters into the stable affordable supportive housing they desperately need and deserve.

About Salus

Salus has been an unwavering champion for people living with mental illness for more than 45 years. We provide a first step in the recovery process — a stable home environment — including a transitional rehabilitation program, shared homes and independent living. We also provide mental health programs and services that are customized to meet each of our clients’ unique needs on their journey to well-being and independence.

Media contact

Heather Badenoch, Village PR, 613-859-8232, heather@villagepr.ca

Board AGM Cocktail: Celebrating the Past and Present Innovators of Salus

On the evening of June 22nd 2023, Salus innovators of past and present gathered at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club for our Board AGM Cocktail. The evening was filled with warmth, nostalgia, and a shared commitment to our mission that has united so many people – to provide supportive housing and mental health services to adults experiencing severe and persistent mental illness.

We were honoured to be joined by two of Salus’ co-founders, Dr. Alistair Catterson and former Mayor of Ottawa, Jackie Holzman. Dr. Catterson inspired the crowd with his keynote speech that detailed the founding story of Salus dating back to the 1970s. Dr. Catterson shared that after a long career in psychiatry, one of his highlights was founding Salus, and he is proud to know that Ottawa is truly a better place because of the work Salus does in our city. We are forever grateful to our incredible co-founders for seeing individuals for more than their mental illness, and for believing that a stable home is essential for wellbeing.

As the evening progressed, we celebrated Board members and Committee members that have contributed to Salus’ growth and success. We are grateful to our Past Board Chair, Camille Therriault-Power for her exceptional leadership and dedication to Salus, who also sponsored the beautiful event space at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club. Camille had the opportunity to acknowledge and thank our outgoing Board members, Sanjay Srivastava, Myles Kirvan, Lindsay Taub, and Harpreet Grewal for their contributions. They have dedicated their time, expertise, and unwavering support to Salus over the years.

We were thrilled to welcome Janet Yale as our incoming Board Chair, and look forward to working with her to drive our mission forward. Janet warmly welcomed four new incoming Board members: Kevin Yemm, Tadiwa Muradzikwa, Jason MacDonald, and Rachel Baxter. Their diverse expertise and skills will further enrich our Board and contribute to Salus’ continued growth.

The evening ended with a special announcement from Mark MacAulay, Salus’ President & CEO. Looking to the near future, Salus is proud to be leading Canada’s first Aging in the Right Place building here in Ottawa on Capilano Drive. The building will provide stable housing and appropriate mental health supports for our aging population – providing hope, home and dignity for Ottawa’s aging population.

To each and every Salus Board and Committee member past and present – thank you for contributing your unique skills and establishing Salus’ roots and reputation. You are all an important part of our history of opening 6,859 doors for Salus clients since 1977 and making Salus the organization it is today.

Watch our video below for beautifully captured highlights of the evening! 

https://player.vimeo.com/video/840202272?h=d6287e1a98

 

The stepping stone for a life filled with meaning and hope

When Dana was just 26 years old, she lost her mom – her best friend, to cancer.

She was devastated. The traumatic loss triggered depression, suicidal thoughts and disorganized and paranoid thinking over the next three years. At 29, she was diagnosed with schizophrenia and admitted to the hospital for two weeks.

A social worker from another organization introduced Dana to Salus and Rehabilitation Worker, Leanne. Dana moved in to one of Salus’ shared living homes where she began her recovery journey.

Thanks to the guidance and support she received from Leanne and the other tenants, she learned life skills again that she had lost – skills like cooking, cleaning and working.

“My journey at Salus has been one of hope, it’s been one of connecting with other peers and never being alone, and being surrounded by a supportive environment and supportive staff,” says Dana.

While recounting her journey of recovery, she commented on the large pine table in the kitchen at Salus’ shared living home. “We sat around the table every time for breakfast, lunch and supper and we took the opportunity to socialize around it. I made quite a few friends here. I love the comradery and the atmosphere and the support and the feeling of togetherness that this place offered me.”

Dana says her time at Salus was the stepping stone between living dependently and independently.

Today, Dana lives in a two-bedroom apartment with a roommate and she works full-time as a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) facilitator.

“Salus gave me the opportunity to learn about WRAP. I’m independent now and I have a job thanks to everything I learned at Salus,” says Dana.

Dana uses her own experience to help empathize with clients in her job as a peer support worker. “And that’s why I’m here, that’s why I’m a peer supporter now, because I don’t want others to go through the same experience, not having somebody to tell them, ‘Hey it’s okay’. I want them to know that recovery is real, and it’s possible, it’s always possible.”

An Hour to Give with Sam Laprade: Athlone Flood Recovery

101.1 FM / 1310 AM News

An Hour to Give with Sam Laprade: Special podcast featuring Ottawa Salus’s Executive Director, Mark MacAulay, speaking about Feb 4, 2023 flood at our Athlone building and 40 displaced tenants.

An Hour to Give with Sam Laprade: Interview with Board member, Lindsay Taub

101.1 FM / 1310 AM News

An Hour to Give with Sam Laprade: Special podcast featuring Ottawa Salus Board member Lindsay Taub, speaking about her work as a therapist and role as a board member, the crucial role of home in someone’s recovery, how COVID has impacted clients, and the role Salus plays in the overall mental health system.

An Hour to Give with Sam Laprade: Interview with Salus client, Claire Burrows

101.1 FM / 1310 AM News

An Hour to Give with Sam Laprade: Special podcast featuring Ottawa Salus client, Claire Burrows.

Claire shares her personal journey with Salus, including her graduation from Salus’ Transitional Rehabilitation Housing Program at Fisher in September 2022, how Salus has made a difference in her life, and now living independently in Salus housing.

An Hour to Give with Sam Laprade: Interview with Mark MacAulay

101.1 FM / 1310 AM News

An Hour to Give with Sam Laprade: Special podcast featuring Ottawa Salus’ Executive Director, Mark MacAulay, speaking about the urgent need for more affordable and supportive housing, Salus’ plans for new building including townhouses, and the impact of community support.