Harmony House

The only second-stage women's shelter in Ottawa, Ontario

Our background

How we got started

Harmony House opened in 1987 in response to a need for safe, longer-term housing and support for abused women and their children fleeing violent situations. This need was originally identified in a five-year study of community social needs in Ottawa undertaken by the Social Planning Council. St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, which was looking to undertake a major social outreach program at the time, took on this ambitious project and brought Harmony House into existence.

Our Focus

The primary service of Harmony House is to provide advocacy and support for women and their children who are fleeing abuse. As part of the support offered, Harmony House provides 16 units of affordable, safe housing for up to one year. This allows women and their children the time they require to truly be able to start their lives over again in a safe environment.

Our Impact

Since January 1987, Harmony House has provided safe shelter and support to women and children who have lived there, as well as providing ongoing support to hundreds of ex-residents. Harmony House continues to see examples of the success of its programs in the achievement of women who complete training programs and re-enter the workforce, and who re-establish safe and secure family lives with their children.

This success is seen in the children who are able to grow up in homes where violence is no longer a feature of their daily lives. These children are now able to excel in school as well as enjoy the daily art of living normal, fun lives – the right of every child.

A shift in funding

From 1987 through 1995, Harmony House was funded 80 per cent by the provincial government through the Ministry of Community and Social Services. The other 20 per cent was raised by fundraising events. In January 1996, all government funding to all second stage shelters in Ontario was withdrawn. As a result, Harmony House lost the majority of its staff and also had to reduce services. Many second stage shelters in the province had to close their doors entirely.

However, Harmony House managed to stay open and over time increased its staff and services thanks to the generous support of companies, churches, social groups and individuals who all share the commitment that Harmony House shows to women and children. Since 2005 the province has been “reinvesting” in second stage shelters and Harmony House once again receives a significant portion of its annual budget from the Ministry of Community and Social Services. At this time we receive a little less provincial funding than we received back in 1995, but we’re headed in the right direction.

Harmony House is the only second stage shelter in Eastern Ontario.