YMCA reinvests in Argyle Avenue location to provide housing

For Joy Oare, coming to Canada about a year ago has had some challenges.

As a newcomer, she was in temporary accommodations and shelters for months, never having a place to call her own. Now, thanks to the YMCA on Argyle Avenue near the Museum of Nature, she has her own space to call home while she finds an apartment.

“It’s homey. I’m able to access the gym, which I love doing back home in my motherland. I’m able to use the pool, Zumba classes, and the sauna this helps me to destress,” Oare said. “With the help of this platform, this organization, I have a more settled relaxing peace of mind so I can strive ahead and attain my goals and vision and integrate properly.”

Not that long ago, this Argyle Avenue haven for newcomers and people from all walks of life was up for sale. The YMCA had decided it was time to move on. That changed with the explosion of people who are unhoused in the Capital.

According to city statistics, almost 3,000 people are looking for a home. That number grew by hundreds in just a few years. Seeing that need, the YMCA decided to take the for sale sign off the building and convert unused space into new kitchens, washrooms and units. The Taggart Argyle YMCA now has room for 250 youth and adults, with plans to expand. It now provides transitional and supportive housing to people in transition from homelessness, newcomers to Canada, and those living with physical, mental and/or substance use health challenges.

Trevor McAlmont, the president and CEO of the YMCA National Capital Region, said the decision to keep the building serving the community was easy.

“We are needed here in Centretown. Our services here in Centretown remain vitally important and the building which we own can still meet that need,” McAlmont said. “We have case management support, life skill support, we are addressing mental health issues we are addressing whatever substance abuse challenges they have we have 24-hour staffing support around the clock.”

As part of the YMCA’s new 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, increasing their impact and access in the downtown core remains a priority. The Y is in discussions with funders for grants to upgrade more areas of the building. The facility currently offers four programs to support residents and eventually move them from the Argyle building into permanent housing.

According to the National Capital Region YMCA, the transitional housing program provides safe, temporary homes for more than 150 individuals aged 18+ who are at risk of homelessness or living in unstable or unsafe housing.

The youth housing program (also called The Second Stage Housing Program for Youth) provides supportive housing for 17 youth aged 16 to 24 who are unable to live at home, homeless, or at risk of being homeless. These youth need assistance building life skills as they move toward independence.

The supportive housing program is for approximately 40 individuals aged 18+ who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and need support to move on to permanent housing. This is for those living with mental health and substance use issues.

Monthly supportive housing rooms are for approximately 30 longer-term tenants, including individuals in transition from being unhoused, those fleeing unsafe or unstable housing, newcomers to Canada, and individuals coping with issues related to physical, mental and/or substance use health. This program is not taking new applicants at this time.

If you’d like to know more about the services offered at The Taggart Argyle YMCA, you can follow the link here.