The
Long Path To an Aboriginal Seniors Residence
As the urban Aboriginal population grows, so does the number of
older individuals who chose, because of family ties and services, to
remain in the city. Recognizing the need to address housing for
Aboriginal seniors, Gignul had, for over a decade, dedicated efforts
to establish an Aboriginal seniors lodge in the City of Ottawa.
The concept was first raised in 1990 at a planning session of
Gignul’s Board of Directors and staff. In 1996, at the Canada
Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Training Forum in Windsor,
Gignul’s President Jim Lanigan announced efforts to redevelop one of
its properties as a seniors lodge. These efforts could not proceed
due to lack of capital funding. However, the commitment prevailed.
It wasn’t until the fall of 1999, with a homelessness crisis in the
City and winter looming that the opportunity arrived. An area
philanthropist dedicated funds to the Ottawa Community Foundation to
combat homelessness in the city. The donor stipulated that these
funds respond to the critical state of homelessness among Aboriginal
people. An agent of the Foundation invited Gignul to host a meeting
of local Aboriginal service providers in September 1999 to launch a
call for proposals and to determine the homelessness priorities of
the Aboriginal community.
Gignul hosted the meeting, inviting representatives of the
Aboriginal Women’s Support Centre, and Pinganodin Lodge, a
transitional house for Aboriginal men, to the table. This collective
agreed on the ranking of local Aboriginal priorities, as follows:
• Support to purchase a service facility for Aboriginal women in
distress;
• An Aboriginal seniors residence; and
• A transitional residence for homeless Aboriginal men and youth.
At long last, Gignul’s dream of an Aboriginal seniors residence
seemed to be within grasp.
The Seniors Lodge Concept
Gignul believed two important objectives could be achieved by the
development of a seniors lodge.
• The first objective responded to the Ottawa homelessness crisis
and the need to create affordable shelter for the homeless and those
at risk of becoming homeless.
• The second achieved affordable rental accommodation for Aboriginal
seniors. |
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The seniors lodge concept included acquiring and renovating an
existing apartment complex. The building would feature units adapted
to accommodate seniors with physical disabilities; a common area
where seniors could meet and socialize; laundry facilities; a
generous outdoor area for enjoyment and gardening; and most
importantly, affordable rents, in a supportive and culturally
sensitive environment. |
Gignul’s Professional Partners
To ensure a professional and quality business development proposal,
Devine and Associates was engaged as a consultant to the
project. The firm of Christopher Simmonds Architect was
brought on board to provide architectural and technical advice in
securing and renovating the proposed seniors residence.
During this process a
number of sites where assessed, with 388 Carmen Street being
considered the most suitable. Following a technical review and
assessment of the building, the architect was engaged to prepare
architectural plans, drawings and cost estimates necessary to
undertake renovations.
It was planned that donor support would account for seventy-five per
cent of the project costs with mortgage financing making up the
remaining twenty-five percent. At the November 18, 1999 Board of
Directors meeting, a motion was passed approving the Project Team to
more forward.
Gignul’s Funding Partners
Thanks to the Ottawa Community Foundation’s early capital commitment
to the project, other potential funding partners were more willing
to support the seniors lodge. Other funding sources included:
• The City of Ottawa, which supported the “soft” costs of project
development;
• Kagita Mikam, an Aboriginal Human Resources Development Area
Management Board, which provided additional capital funding;
• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Residential
Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP), which supported physical
upgrades and disabled-access costs; and
• Gignul’s own contribution to the project, through securing
mortgage financing to cover the remaining costs of the project.
The Development Process
In March, Gignul’s Board of Directors approved a conditional offer
to purchase a twelve- unit apartment building located at 388 Carmen
Street in Vanier, with a July 31st closing date. The funding support
enabled acquisition of the building and redevelopment for eleven
seniors units. Major renovations included replacing windows,
upgrading plumbing and electrical services, the installation of a
lift, as well as important safety upgrades. In addition, a common
room was added for seniors activities and health out reach services;
exterior ramping, improved security, etc.
The Building Committee
With ownership secured, the Board of Directors approved the creation
of a Building Committee to guide and provide technical support and
advice to the project and report to the Board on progress. The
Committee was chaired by Jim Lanigan, Gignul President and included
Charlie Hill, Gignul Vice President; Roy Jacobs, Gignul Executive
Director; and Terry Conroy, Maintenance Supervisor. George Devine
(Devine & Associates), and Christopher Simmonds, (Christopher
Simmonds Architect) provided professional and technical support
on the Building Committee.
The first task of the Building Committee was to make a decision as
to proceed with a construction manager, or a general contractor. The
construction manager approach was determined to be the most feasible
as it offered the Committee greater control over the costs of the
project. In the interests of time, an invitational tender process
was utilized. Three bids for the construction management contract
were received. The Building Committee recommended Construction
Premiere for fixed price contract. The recommendation was approved
by Gignul’s Board and the contract was officially signed on February
15, 2001.
Project Delays
It had been anticipated that renovations and redevelopment of the
project would commence almost immediately following acquisition of
the building in October, 2000; with the process of tendering for the
Construction Manager and the associated trades. However, the
Building Committee could not finalize the architectural program and
design specifications until CMHC concluded its RRAP inspection and
work eligibility requirements. The final approval letter for the
RRAP contribution was received on January 11, 2001 delaying the
start of the redevelopment work to late January 2001.
Official Opening, June 18, 2001
The official opening of Madawan Lodge was held on June 18, 2001.
Dignitaries and guests included, Algonquin Elder William Commanda;
Mauril Belanger, M. P. for Ottawa-Vanier; Mac Harb, M.P. for
Ottawa-Centre; Claudette Boyer, M.P.P. for Ottawa-Vanier, Richard
Patten, M.P.P. for Ottawa Center; and Madeleine Meilleur, City of
Ottawa Councillor.
Other dignitaries included representatives from Canada Mortgage and
Housing; City of Ottawa Housing Department; Barbara McInnis of the
Ottawa Community Foundation; Velma Hill Dracup, Executive Director,
Kagita Mikam; and representatives from Wabano Centre for Aboriginal
Health, Pinganodin Lodge, and Odawa’s Long Life Care Program.
Approximately fifty guests from the Aboriginal community joined the
festivities.
Final Completion and Occupancy August 2001
At the end of June the second and third levels of the project were
complete and during the month of July, tenants moved into the eight
units situated on these levels. The official date of commencement of
operations of the Lodge was July 1, 2001.The disabled units on the
first level were not completed until the end of August due to
construction delays and back order for the lift. An occupancy permit
for the disability units on the first level was received on August
29, 2001.
Additional Benefits to the Aboriginal
Community
As noted above, Gignul was committed to relocating seniors from its
existing rent geared to income units to Madawan Lodge, thereby
freeing up these units for families on its waiting list. Six senior
tenant households were relocated, creating the opportunity to
provide affordable units to an equal number of needy households.
Despite lack of specific funding for the common room within the
overall project funding, Gignul remained committed to the common
room. With additional support from Kagita Mikam, the common room was
opened shortly after official occupancy and has become a resource
for other Aboriginal service providers. The common room provides an
ideal location for not only socializing among the tenants but
provides an important venue to access Aboriginal senior support
services. A Grand Mothers’ circle has been formed and meets in
regularly in the common room.
Gignul’s Board of Directors Wishes to
Thank:
Barbara McInnis, Paul Laberge of The Ottawa Community Foundation
Velma Hill-Dracup and Carolyn McDonald of Kagita Mikam
The Homelessness Initiative Team of the former Regional
Municipality
Julie McCann and senior staff of Canada Mortgage and Housing
Corporation
Norbert Koeck of Blue Heron Building Inspection Services
Bank of Nova Scotia
George Devine of Devine & Associates
Christopher Simmonds and Kristina Leaning of Christopher Simmonds
Architects
Premier Construction
And from the Ottawa Aboriginal community:
Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health
Odawa Friendship Centre
Odawa Long Life Care Program
Aboriginal Womens Support Centre
Pinganodin Lodge
And without whose dedication and support Madawan Lodge would not
flourish, Gignul staff.
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