Salvation Army reassessing plans to build 99-bed shelter in Vanier

333 Montreal Rd. in Ottawa is seen in this 2022 image. (Dave Charbonneau/CTV News Ottawa)

A long-planned Salvation Army shelter and community hub project in Vanier has stalled out, according to the organization.

The new Centre of Hope was planned to open at 333 Montreal Rd., providing 32 supportive housing units and 99 emergency shelter beds, but the Salvation Army says it will not be proceeding with the project as it had been previously planned.

“Since initial site plan approvals were secured several years ago, construction costs and market conditions have changed significantly. As a result, the Centre of Hope project at 333 Montreal Road will not proceed as originally conceived,” a statement said.

“No decisions have been made regarding the future of the Montreal Road site. We are continuing internal discussions as we consider a path forward.”

In 2017, city council approved the Salvation Army’s plans to be build the new facility at 333 Montreal Rd., and construction on the project began in 2023. The project faced pushback from some residents.

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Rideau-Vanier Coun. Stéphanie Plante said it was a “contentious” issue for the community.

“There are still scars in the community about this battle. So, moving forward, we want to make sure anything on Montreal Road is consistent with housing first and best practices,” she said.

The Salvation Army operates another shelter on George Street in the ByWard Market, which is also part of Rideau-Vanier Ward.

“The Salvation Army remains committed to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness in Ottawa and is currently evaluating potential next steps for the property in light of current economic conditions and community needs,” the Salvation Army said.

“The Ottawa Booth Centre remains operational and continues to provide shelter and support services to those who rely on them.”

Plante says she does not want to see a “copy-paste” of the shelter system on George Street, and will be working MP Mona Fortier and MPP Lucille Collard, who represent the area at the federal and provincial levels, to achieve that goal.

“My concern, obviously, is for the state of Montreal Road. We want to make sure whatever project goes on site is consistent with housing first is good for the neighborhood as well as good for their clients,” Plante said.

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Plante and other residents have been concerned about the concentration of shelter services in the Vanier and Lowertown communities.

The Shepherds of Good Hope recently announced its Murray Street shelter would be transforming into long-term supportive housing. The Ottawa Mission operates an emergency shelter on Waller Street.

“We’re optimistic that this is a trend moving forward that will start to see an end to a concentration of crisis social services downtown, especially within Ward 12,” said Josiah Frith, president of the Lowertown Community Association.

“We’ve been saying for a long time now that we need solutions in every single ward in Ottawa. When you come down to the market and you see the shelters and they look scary, that’s because of the concentration.”

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Josh Marano