Housing Project in Port Hope

We have a Housing Project that came about because of our knowledge of a vacant home in our community. I was personally involved with the placement here in Port Hope of a Refugee family from Syria. When this Refugee family decided to move to Ottawa, the home we had prepared for them was left unoccupied and completely unfurnished. Knowing that we have many families in our town that are homeless, we began investigating how we could place a needy family in the home. Following our initial communication with the landlord, we felt that there was no chance. The landlord was very concerned about renting to a needy/ poor family.

We then contacted David Sheffield, a man who works with many needy families in our town through an organization known as Greenwood Coalition. David had an idea that he thought may work. His idea was to approach the landlord with a promise that the Greenwood Coalition would select a family in need and ensure payment of rent as agreed upon. His group would also work with the landlord to ensure that if ever there were any issues between the landlord and the tenant, he would personally get involved with the tenant to resolve the issue, even if it meant moving the tenant out of the home. Conversely, he also assured the landlord that if ever there was an issue brought up by the tenant regarding the landlord/tenant relationship he would again ensure the tenant that he would work to resolve the issue.

The landlord and his wife, a wonderful member of our community, considered the suggestion and subsequently agreed to give it a try.

In recent discussions with the landlord,he tells us that everything is working well. He has no complaints and is inwardly pleased that he can in some way help the needy. This agreement has now been in place for about 4 months.

It should also be noted that Saint Vincent de Paul does not have any commitment or connection with the agreement made between Greenwood Coalition and the landlord. Our only commitment was to provide all the necessary furniture and other items needed to make the home comfortable for the tenant. We worked with our St. Vincent de Paul Value Store who were extremely helpful in supplying all the articles needed to make the home a home for a needy family.

Given our experience, we believe that when we find another home and a cooperative landlord, we will again promote this project using this template.

Jim Scherer
Vincentian in Port Hope