$1-million Taggart donation to fund supportive housing, community kitchen and new fullday drop-in program.

OTTAWA, ON, February 12, 2024 – Today, the Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation kicks off a capital campaign by recognizing a generous donation from the Taggart Parkes Foundation.  

The Taggart Parkes family has gifted Shepherds of Good Hope with $1 million to support the construction of an eight-storey multi-purpose supportive housing residence at 216 Murray Street. The innovative, purpose-built building includes 48 supportive housing units, a new community kitchen, and a new full-day drop-in program. 

“Supporting Shepherds of Good Hope with this gift gives our family an incredible opportunity to help their critical and compassionate work and their inspiring vision for this new building in the City of Ottawa,” says Mary Taggart, editor-in-chief of Ottawa at Home. Her husband, Chris Taggart, is the President of Tamarack Developments and Tartan Homes. 

Chris and Mary Taggart have also been named co-chairs of the capital campaign to support the delivery of 216 Murray Street and the services it provides. The Shepherds’ transitional shelter building at 256 King Edward, which delivers harm reduction and emergency services, has been renamed Taggart Parkes Family Community Hub in appreciation of the family foundation’s gift.  

When opened to residents in 2025, 216 Murray Street will house 48 people currently experiencing chronic homelessness and struggling with mental health, substance use and other disorders, and will prioritize Indigenous people and women. Residents will also have access to full wrap-around supports.     

“Shelter is temporary, but housing is permanent,” says David Gourlay, CEO, Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation. “This is truly the time to be a part of building hope for people who are chronically homeless and precariously housed in our city.”  

The addition of 216 Murray Street will bring the total number of people living in Shepherds of Good Hope supportive housing facilities to 339 across Ottawa.   “When people move into Shepherds’ supportive housing, 99 per cent do not go back to the shelter,” says Gourlay. “This trend is something worth building on, and we are grateful to the Taggart Parkes family and all donors and levels of government who help make this possible.”  

If you’re interested in becoming a partner in this campaign and helping support the city’s most vulnerable, please visit the website at 216Murray.ca