A New Kind of Home in Ottawa
Ottawa is welcoming a meaningful new addition to its supportive housing landscape. Ottawa Salus Corporation, one of the city's longest-standing mental health charities, has officially opened a new residence on Capilano Drive — and it's unlike anything the organization has offered before.
This building marks the first time Salus has created a space specifically designed for people living with mental health challenges who want to age in place. Rather than a traditional group home or transitional shelter, Capilano Drive is built for long-term, independent living with professional wrap-around support available when it's needed.
Meeting the First Resident
CBC Ottawa recently toured the new facility and had the chance to speak with its very first resident — a milestone moment for both the individual and the organization. For someone who has navigated the complexities of mental illness, having a stable, dignified home with access to ongoing support isn't just convenient. It's life-changing.
The building is designed with that in mind: private, comfortable living spaces that respect residents' independence, combined with on-site services that can adapt as needs change over time. It's a model that recognizes aging with a mental health condition comes with unique challenges — and that the right environment can make all the difference.
Why This Matters for Ottawa
Ottawa has long faced a shortage of appropriate housing options for adults living with serious mental illness, particularly as they age. Many end up in settings that aren't well-suited to their needs — either too institutional or lacking the support necessary to keep them safe and well.
Salus has been filling gaps in Ottawa's mental health housing system for decades, supporting hundreds of residents across the city. The Capilano Drive building represents an evolution in that mission: a thoughtful, purpose-built space that meets people where they are and allows them to put down real roots.
Wrap-around support — the kind Salus is known for — means staff aren't just checking in on residents. They're helping with everything from medication management and daily routines to building community connections and navigating the broader healthcare system. It's a holistic approach that's proven to improve outcomes for people with complex mental health needs.
A Model Worth Watching
As Ottawa continues to grapple with its housing crisis and the ongoing strain on mental health services, the Capilano Drive residence offers a replicable model: invest in stable, supportive housing, and you reduce emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and the revolving door so many vulnerable residents face.
For the people who will call this building home, it's simply a place to live with dignity, community, and the support to thrive — whatever that looks like for them.
To learn more about Ottawa Salus Corporation and its housing programs, visit their website or follow their work through CBC Ottawa's ongoing coverage.
Source: CBC Ottawa
