PAL Ottawa is exploring new private development collaborations in 2026 to fulfill its mission of providing affordable housing for local senior artists and arts workers. This marks a full break from the discussions between PAL Ottawa and Ottawa Community Housing Corporation for occupancy in one of the MOSAÏQ II buildings on Rochester Street.
If you would like to show your support by writing or calling in to Councillors and the Mayor, please find resources below to aid you in doing so. In addition to a form letter you can use and modify to your liking, we have also included talking points in order to facilitate you writing your own letter.
Please direct any question you may have to PAL Ottawa’s Communications Lead, Alex Millaire, at info@palottawa.org
EMAIL ADDRESSES AND PHONE NUMBERS
All phone numbers and emails for Councillors and the Mayor can be found at the page linked here.
You can alternatively copy-paste this link: https://ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/mayor-and-city-councillors
FORM LETTER
Dear [Councillor __ / Mayor Sutcliffe],
As a supporter of PAL Ottawa, I object in the strongest of terms to the recent rejection by Ottawa Housing Services of the PAL Ottawa initiative at the MOSAÏQ II development.
I cannot understand how a project seven years in the making with the building nearing completion can be so crucially altered at this late date.
Nobody is happy with the homelessness crisis in the city, but it hardly seems fair that the solution is to destroy the plans for housing people below the poverty line.
This pilot project, based on the significant and celebrated success of PALs in Toronto and Vancouver, is clearly supported by those people who gave $1.8 million to see this building bring the kind of vital community which is so needed in the city.
The need is evident with over 200 senior arts worker applicants hoping against hope to relieve the stress of paying well over the 50% of their income for accommodation.
But at the end of the day, this city has again undermined an artistic vision, this time for housing senior arts workers. The shortsightedness is dismaying.
It is the City’s own arts priority plans that paved the way for PAL Ottawa, and OCHC that signed an MOU seven years ago to co-create PAL Place. How can groups trust the City’s commitments now?
We are reassured that PAL Ottawa is not taking this lying down, but will be exploring private housing opportunities. We sincerely hope that when they next come to you for support or help with important matters of regulation, you address the hopes and efforts of those who treasure this important, vibrant and productive community.
[SIGN OFF]
[NAME]
TALKING POINTS
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In 2021, PAL Ottawa signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with OCHC. The MOU detailed the creation of a range of affordable apartments and a much-needed creative space for senior arts workers, itself representing a $500k investment by PAL Ottawa, based on an action item in the City of Ottawa’s Culture Plan.
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With the rising homelessness crisis in the city, the January 22 proposal by the City of Ottawa Housing Services put plans for PAL Place in an untenable financial position, and one that conflicted with its mandate and the spirit of the MOU.
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The Board and PAL Ottawa volunteers worked diligently for over 7 years to bring this project to fruition, and this recent development is a significant blow, particularly given the anticipated opening of MOSAÏQ II this September.
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Stepping away from this much-diminished deal is without a doubt the right choice for our 200+ applicants on PAL Ottawa’s waiting list.
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We believe that community groups can also assist in the housing crisis, and in breaking from OCHC, PAL Ottawa is even more determined to seek a new housing plan to defend the needs and interests of senior arts workers.
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Based on a proven model, PAL Ottawa follows in the footsteps of established PALs in Toronto and Vancouver. Its mission is to meet the needs of senior artists and arts workers in the National Capital Region by providing affordable housing, support services, and artistic opportunities.
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PAL Ottawa’s artists, arts workers and our generous supporters have thus far raised nearly $1.8M towards this housing project
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PAL Ottawa is a member of the Alliance to End Homelessness in Ottawa and stands with citizens in their concern about the housing and homelessness emergency in our city, noting that half of Ottawa’s professional artists make less than the local living wage, are paying well over 50 percent of their income on accommodation, and are themselves at an increased risk of homelessness.
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A more detailed version of the last point: Of the 5,800 recorded professional artists living in the City of Ottawa, half make less than the local living wage ($33,852).* As they age, artists are at increased risk of homelessness and isolation, with diminishing work opportunities, reduced ability for physically demanding work, and limited availability of retirement savings. *Hill Strategies 2024 report (using 2021 Census data)
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Targeted to older arts workers, the PAL Ottawa initiative also aligns with priorities in the City’s former and new Older Adult Plan (2025-2030)
