The Steepleview Crossing affordable housing community on church property was part of our vision for building our church in the early 1990’s, and so Barrhaven Non Profit Housing Inc. (BNPHI) was created. As one of our early Outreach initiatives, its mission was “to provide affordable housing in a caring community for those with diverse needs”.
Today, Steepleview Crossing is a community of 41 units of affordable housing that approximately 80 to 85 people call home. Approximately 40% of the units are barrier free. One building was designed for the environmentally sensitive using the standards at the time of construction. From the start the Ontario March of Dimes has partnered with BNPHI, renting a number of units and providing on-site 24/7 care to some of the residents.
Although BNPHI operates independently from Barrhaven United Church, there is an ongoing relationship as a majority of the Board of Directors must be members of the church. The two organizations work closely together on property issues and the congregation provides support to the community by hosting social events such as barbecues and movie nights.
The majority of the residents of the community benefit from “geared to income” rent. Subsidies are provided through the City of Ottawa which manages the housing vacancy list. For more information regarding the housing vacancy list, please contact the City of Ottawa at http://www.housingregistry.ca or 613-526-2088.