As long-term residents of Herongate, Saido Gashan and Abdullahi Ali were witness and subject to Timbercreek’s strategy of systemic neglect. Furthermore, as members of the Herongate Somali community they have experienced how Timbercreek’s actions have irreparably and fundamentally damaged the cultural community of Herongate.

Lebanese Canadian Leilani Farha, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing, will be giving a talk at Carleton University this Tuesday, February 26 from 6:00-8:00 pm.

We would like to thank Mayor Jim Watson for his efforts to help support tenants facing eviction in Herongate by negotiating with Timbercreek for an extension and a larger financial compensation. However, the tenants in Herongate are not fighting for more time or more money.

The Ottawa Police Services Board is currently consulting with communities across Ottawa to inform their 2019 to 2021 Strategic Plan.

Over the last few years, concerns have been raised about racial profiling of Middle Eastern and Black young men by the police service through Street Checks and Traffic Stops.

Herongate is located where Heron Rd emerges from Walkley Rd in Ottawa’s southeast. It is the most diverse neighbourhood in Ottawa. It is also one of the poorest. The neighbourhood has a significantly large and multigenerational Muslim community.

The north side of Herongate is owned almost entirely by one company, Timbercreek. The Toronto-based corporation acquired housing in the Herongate area in 2012 and 2013.Many tenants feel that Timbercreek has purposefully neglected the houses in Herongate because they knew they intended to evict the tenants, demolish the houses, and build housing that is targeted towards higher income tenants. Explore this process of neglect in pictures online here.

Advocating for affordable housing in Ottawa, faith groups from the Jewish, Christian, Unitarian, and Muslim communities took on the pouring rain to participate in this year’s Tulipathon walk.

Hosted by the Multifaith Housing Initiative (MHI), a non-profit coalition in Ottawa, the Tulipathon brings people of all faiths together to walk among tulips and raise awareness and funds for affordable housing in Ottawa.