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Ottawa Salus Corporation provides housing and support services for clients with mental health needs. They have more than 100 dwelling units in several buildings in Ottawa. Salus Clementine is a 42-unit residence providing housing to people who struggle with psychiatric illness. The residence was constructed in an established inner suburb of Ottawa, near public transport and local shopping. This project is ground breaking because it is a community based initiative to provide “housing first” to people who would otherwise be homeless and on the street. It has been proven that the most cost effective way to solve homelessness is to provide safe, low cost housing first. This stabilizes the person’s life so that underlying causes of homelessness can be addressed.

Building a highly efficient building was vital as operational costs will be kept low, allowing for funds to be put back into programming. In addition to overall savings in maintenance costs, sustainably-built environments provide healthy spaces in which to work, play and reside.

CSV’s blog: Challenging our Assumptions

Media: Passive House Case Study - Salus Clementine Housing | SAB Magazine | 2017

Photo credits to Gordon King and William McElligott

Sustainable Features:
Extending the long view to the construction of the building itself, Ottawa Salus Corporation demanded the highest possible standard for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. The building is LEED for Homes Platinum certified and has achieved Passive House certification from iPHA. This building has been designed to reduce energy consumption related to heating by up to 66% compared to the 2012 Ontario Building Code. Each apartment will operate winter and summer on an energy budget which is equivalent to the energy generated by the candles on a birthday cake. This is achieved by greatly increasing insulation, reducing air leakage, eliminating cold bridging while providing exceptional interior air quality. The demand for heat is reduced to such an extent that no furnace is required, and cooling loads are minimized. The result is a building that sets a new standard for environmental stewardship.

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