The need for affordable housing became apparent to the founders of Home Suite Hope (HSH) in 2003. Since 2001, The Salvation Army made repeated efforts to establish a permanent emergency shelter in Oakville. In 2003, The Army was forced to move the location of the proposed shelter after an outcry of public dissent, when the chosen neighbourhood responded angrily and refused to allow any sort of shelter in their community.
From this difficult situation, Wendy Perkins, Major Ray Braddock, John Ghent and Norma Gamble brainstormed the initial concept of Home Suite Hope. They recognized that there was a need for transitional housing in Halton and that services can be provided in a supportive and respectful manner. The concepts of shared living, re-integrating people into mainstream life and creating an environment that combats urban loneliness became the rationale behind the creation of Home Suite Hope.
The founders strategically pursued a variety of experts to sit on the Board and govern as the idea of Home Suite Hope was brought to reality. The Board encompasses an exceptionally dedicated group of people who have spent many hours, some with a paint brush and paint can during renovations, some fundraising, and others networking, working in the office and doing what is necessary to support the initiative that they are each passionately dedicated to.
Home Suite Hope received seed funding from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), operational funding from The Ontario Trillium Foundation, and capital for start up costs from the Region of Halton through the Government of Canada’s Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI). We also received encouragement and advice from Kerr Street Ministries.
Home Suite Hope received its official non-profit charitable status in September 2004. That month also marked the purchase of the first HSH home. Five residents moved into a beautiful, newly renovated home on November 1, 2005.
Plans to purchase a second HSH house are currently in the works. HSH is also looking at replicating this innovative model in other cities and towns in Canada.
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