Ottawa’s Newest Supportive Housing Residence and Community Kitchen Opens!

On May 9, 2025, Shepherds of Good Hope celebrated the opening of Ottawa’s newest supportive housing residence and community kitchen, Richcraft Hope Centre.

Funding for this exciting project was provided through the Government of Canada’s Rapid Housing Initiative, the Government of Ontario’s Social Services Relief Fund, the City of Ottawa, and generous donors, including the Singhal Family of Richcraft Homes and the Taggart Parkes Family.

The newly named Richcraft Hope Centre (RHC) is home for 48 people experiencing homelessness. It is also home to Shepherds of Good Hope’s new community kitchen, replacing the current community kitchen which opened forty years ago. The new kitchen will serve 650+ meals per day and provide meal preparation and delivery for Shepherds supportive housing residences elsewhere in the city.

RHC features a new 16-hour drop-in on the main floor. The state-of-the-art kitchen and resident dining area are located on the second floor. Floors three to eight offer 48 apartments for those experiencing homelessness.

Residents living in the housing program receive 24/7 support. Individuals using the community kitchen and drop-in centre will have access to support for financial literacy, housing, legal assistance, identification, and other resources meant to reduce barriers to finding long-term, stable housing solutions.

“Richcraft Hope Centre is a significant milestone,” says Stephen Bartolo, CEO, Shepherds of Good Hope. “Thank you to the leadership of the Government of Canada, Government of Ontario, and the City of Ottawa for their commitment to helping people experiencing homelessness in our community. Thank you to our staff, volunteers and partnering agencies for your unwavering support and dedication to our Vision. “Homes for all. Community for all. Hope for all.”

 Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor, City of Ottawa

The Honourable Mona Fortier, Member of Parliament

To commemorate this important addition to the City of Ottawa and for people experiencing homelessness, the opening ceremony included His Worship, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, the Honourable Mona Fortier, Member of Parliament, Kaite Burkholder Harris, Executive Director of Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa, Dave Donaldson, Shepherds of Good Hope Board Chair, David Gourlay, CEO, Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation and Stephen Bartolo, CEO, Shepherds of Good Hope.

“The people of Ottawa continue to inspire us every day with compassion and dignity,” notes David Gourlay, CEO of Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation. “The tremendous contributions of the Singhal Family of Richcraft Homes, the Taggart-Parkes families and numerous donors across our city exemplifies the kindness of our community.”