Closure of Westgate Mall leaves Ottawa charity without a home

With Westgate Mall set to be torn down this fall, House to Home is searching for a new space with no luck so far. CTV’s Dave Charbonneau reports.

An Ottawa charity that helps newcomers start their new life in Canada is losing its home.

With Westgate Mall set to be torn down this fall, House to Home is searching for a new space with no luck so far.

For many new Canadians, like Liliane Ntandah, House to Home is a lifeline.

“We came here. We did not have much to wear,” said Ntandah.

Ntandah moved to Ottawa from Cameroon in April and says the organization helped her family of four settle in Canada.

“When you’re traveling, you cannot take all your belongings. So, when you come here and there are places like this, at least we feel a certain relief,” she said.

But that relief may be short-lived.

“We need a new home. We have nowhere to go,” said Suzi Shore Sauve, the founder of House to Home.

Sauve says the group needs a large, donated space, but has yet to find anything that will fit their needs.

“We pay utilities, but we don’t pay rent. So, we need somewhere that can accommodate that. And we need a large space. Minimum of 5,000 square feet, on a ground floor, with parking,” Sauve said.

“So, there’s tons of spaces in Ottawa. It’s just finding someone who will donate it to us.”

House to Home has helped more than 2,000 families over the past three years and has done it all with donated spaces.

“There are generous people around Ottawa. So, we have this one from Riocan. And we had the old warehouse from Brigil. So, I hope someone will show up to give us a space,” said Asad Rahimi, a manager with House to Home.

Volunteers here also worry about what might happen to the thousands of items that have still yet to find a home.

“I think there are three organizations who do this kind of work, finding things for recent immigrants. And if this one closes, it’s just going to be one less resource. And there seems to be so much stuff to give away. As you can see,” said Julie Sullivan, a volunteer with House to Home.

“It gives those new people, new Canadians, a place to be able to start their life right. So, you know, it feels good to be able to give like that,” said Jeff Foss, a donor to House to Home.

As for Ntandah, places like this help give families like hers a new start.

“My daughter will have all what she needs as clothing for the school year,” she said.

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