CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS for all members and adherents.

"Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." Matthew 25:40 As a community of faith in east Ottawa, Rothwell United Church is committed to living out the ways in which God, known to us through Jesus Christ, is calling us. We are called to discern what the needs are of the vulnerable and marginalized in our community, and so to respond. For example, every year we collect donations for the Gloucester Emergency Food Cupboard and other organizations.
The shortage of housing has become a pressing national issue. In its reflection on how it might contribute to the solution, Rothwell United thought its large parking lot could be converted into a number of rental units. The Church entered discussions with Kindred Works, an arm of the United Church of Canada engaged in such development work Canada-wide. Kindred Works determined that a development of  24-36 units of varying size, in a mix of townhouses and low-rise apartments, was feasible financially. 30% of the units would be “affordable housing” with rents set 20-25% below commercial levels. Church members were informed of these tentative plans in March, 2023. The Church congregation will need to vote to authorize detailed design and costing and negotiations with the City of Ottawa. That vote will not take place for a few months and negotiations with the City are yet further in the future. When the final design is complete, the project will come back to the congregation for a vote on whether or not to proceed with the project.
When there are further significant developments, Rothwell United will issue a further public statement.
October 6, 2023