As 2020 marked a year of unprecedented changes, 2021 was a year of exciting transition for Habitat Greater Ottawa. We are delighted to showcase our highlights from this past year – from new leadership, new partnerships and, like many of you, a gradual transition back to safely seeing one another in person.
Through these many unexpected changes over the past two years, our work transforming lives and communities through affordable homeownership remains our anchor in the storm. We invite you to take a look back as we celebrate a year of change, continued growth and successes. None of which would have been possible without you and your ongoing support. Thank you to all our Habitat Greater Ottawa volunteers, donors, corporate partners and friends for a memorable 2021.
Gavin Liddy, Chair
Mushtaq Kazani, CEO
2021 by the numbers
graciously giving their time to Habitat Greater Ottawa
at our build site, ReStore and on Committees
raised to help build homes in our community
Habitat homeowners set to move in for 2022
welcoming a new CEO to the Habitat Greater Ottawa family
In September 2021, Habitat Greater Ottawa welcomed Mushtaq Kazani as Chief Executive Officer after the departure of outgoing CEO Alexis Ashworth. Previously from the Aga Khan Development Network, Mushtaq has extensive experience in non-profit management and an exceptional track record working with community organizations.
With Mushtaq’s innovative vision and leadership, Habitat Greater Ottawa’s dedication to building safer, healthier communities will continue to grow. We look forward to expanding our work in providing safe, secure, affordable housing for local families.
It is a privilege to see the positive transformation in the lives of Habitat families once they receive the keys to their new homes. I am incredibly thankful to be part of this resilient and resolute Habitat team.
ReStore: thriving in store and online
In the spring of 2021, our two ReStore locations opened their doors to the public once more. Our online ReStore – restoregoshop.ca – saw significant growth this year with $241,155.80 in online sales in 2021!
As a social enterprise, profits from our ReStores go toward our program and operating costs. That means we can use donated dollars to do what we do best – building more affordable homes for Ottawa families. We want to thank our valued customers for their understanding and continued support of the online ReStore and the return back to safe, in-person shopping.
Visit restoregoshop.ca!
ReStore 2021 by the numbers
donations processed
pounds diverted from landfill
online orders through restoregoshop.ca
in online sales through restoregoshop.ca
giving their time and skills to the ReStore
volunteer hours dedicated to the ReStore
supporting remote and in-person volunteer opportunities
At the start of the year, Habitat Greater Ottawa continued to work with Partner Families and community volunteers in providing remote volunteer opportunities with the organization. We began to open up the ReStore and build site for a small group of community volunteers while adhering to health and safety restrictions. By June, we welcomed back all new and returning ReStore volunteers to our two locations, and in October, the Titus Landing site fully reopened for all our build volunteers.
Partner Families were also now able to accumulate their Volunteer Hours in person at the ReStore and on the build site while still having the option to work on a variety of remote opportunities to complete their Volunteer Hours.
Titus Landing is almost here
After some starts and stops due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, Titus Landing is set for completion in late spring 2022. Sponsored by Red Roof Foundation, Titus Landing is an 8-unit stacked townhome development centrally located on the former Canadian Forces Rockcliffe Airbase, in a growing neighbourhood close to amenities such as transit, and parks and schools.
A lot of build progress was made in 2021, including the completion of the foundation, framing, windows and doors, insulation and starting the drywall. Our build crew worked hard to overcome the challenges of supply chain issues and materials shortages due to the ongoing pandemic. A prefabricated construction method was used to offset build delays and difficulties accessing build materials while ensuring more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient homes. As a result of Enbridge Gas’ Savings By Design program, energy- efficient ASHP (air source heat pump) technology was selected to provide heating and cooling along with high-performance triple-glazed windows.
More information on the Titus Landing build can be found on our website.
We sponsor Habitat Greater Ottawa because it supports families in their quest to own their own homes, which can be instrumental in providing them with a sense of pride and security. In addition, we have discovered that the Habitat "build days" are an excellent corporate team-building activity enabling employees to feel connected with their community and their fellow coworkers.
build days are back!
During the height of the pandemic, our build crew missed the hustle and bustle of having our corporate build days on-site. In October of 2021, we welcomed five corporate groups onto the site to help us further our progress on Titus Landing at Wateridge Village. From adding strapping to the sides of the walls to installing flooring, these build day teams came to the site ready to put in some work!
celebrating the Titus Landing families
In 2022, our Habitat Greater Ottawa family will grow by eight more as we welcome families to their new homes at Titus Landing in Wateridge Village. Their commitment to partnering with Habitat Greater Ottawa through the unpredictability of the last two years has been nothing short of amazing. We look forward to handing over the keys (in person!) to each of our eight families.
Being a homeowner through Habitat Greater Ottawa will allow me to save for his future, as well as save for a rainy day – which I haven’t been able to do in a very long time. I will be able to provide safety and security for Kayshawn; which has been my #1 priority since he came into this world.
getting out in the North Grenville community
In 2020, we were thrilled to announce our partnership with Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands on our upcoming development in North Grenville called Kemptville Korners.
While planning was underway on the construction side of the development, Habitat Greater Ottawa spent the year immersing itself in the community and was welcomed with open arms. After participating in local Night Markets, speaking to dedicated community members and getting to know the new town we are building in, we cannot wait to break ground this summer!
More information about Kemptville Korners and homeownership application information can be found on our website.
2021 build sponsors
2021 hope builders
From November 1 to 7, we took our supporters through a new way of doing a virtual gala. We “deconstructed” the best parts of our in-person gala and invited volunteers, donors and families to our 2021 Steel Toes and Sledgehammers Deconstructed Gala hosted by Lucy Van Oldenbarneveld!
Our Deconstructed Gala featured an online auction, virtual 50/50 and words of inspiration from our incredible sponsors. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we were able to raise more than $64,000 towards providing local affordable housing in our community!
Thank you to all who participated and made our second virtual gala a major success!
2021 gala sponsors
2021 community events
This year has been full of hard work, passion, challenges and hope. Community Event Organizers came together and adapted new and innovative ways to connect and raise funds to help local families.
Virtual events supporting Habitat Greater Ottawa will continue in 2022, along with a few modified in-person events, when and where possible. Keep your eyes out for our upcoming events!
Check out our 2021 community events:
RenoMark RenoTour
Presented by the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA), RenoMark Reno Tour was back again for a second virtual event. From elegant whole-home renovations to century-home revivals, the 2021 event provided 3D virtual tours allowing our supporters to walk through beautifully renovated spaces while raising more than $2,000!
The 2nd Annual Bruce Campbell Memorial Golf Tournament
Event organizers could not have asked for a more beautiful day on September 13th for the 2nd Annual Bruce Campbell Memorial Golf Tournament. Friends and family from across Ontario came together to honour the legacy of Bruce Campbell, a community champion for local nonprofits and was able to raise an incredible $15,000 for affordable housing in our region.
Mike McCann Charity Golf Tournament Presented by CLV Group & InterRent REIT
We are incredibly grateful that CVL Group has been a continuous supporter of Habitat Greater Ottawa through their Annual Mike McCann Charity Golf Tournament. CLV generously donated $75,000 to Habitat Greater Ottawa following their tournament on October 6, 2021.
Christmas Tree Sales
For the past 22 years, Chris has supported Habitat Greater Ottawa through sales of Christmas Trees which raises a significant amount of money for Habitat Greater Ottawa. This year, he sold out so fast that Chris needed to bring in extra trees just to meet the demands and was able to raise more than $5,600!
thank you to our amazing volunteers!
We may be a little biased, but we really do think our Habitat Greater Ottawa volunteers are some of the most dedicated, passionate and hardworking volunteers around. Throughout 2021, we were able to safely transition our new and returning volunteers back to in-person volunteering at our ReStore and build site, and we were very excited to see them in person once again. Check out our thank you video to all our volunteers from Habitat Greater Ottawa.
Note: video was filmed in April 2021 and features former Habitat Greater Ottawa CEO, Alexis Ashworth.
Volunteering was one of the best choices I have made. Habitat Greater Ottawa is such an incredible organization to be involved with. Whether it is staff or other volunteers, everyone on the build site is so happy, which makes a fun atmosphere to volunteer in. When I first started, I never had a construction background, but when I got to the build site, I quickly learned that everyone creates a space where you can learn and grow. Everyone was willing to help me build my skills along the way.
looking to the future: increasing capacity to help more families
In fall 2021, Habitat Greater Ottawa’s Board of Directors and leadership team finalized the organization’s strategic direction to increase the number of local families served. Starting in 2022, Habitat Greater Ottawa will aim to grow our builds to 15-20 homes annually by 2025. With new and evolving challenges in the affordable housing crisis, Habitat Greater Ottawa will continue to work with key community stakeholders and expand our capacity and resources to better serve local families.
To request a PDF version of the Habitat Greater Ottawa 2022 Impact Report, please email soey@habitatgo.ca.