City partners with Habitat for Humanity to distribute furniture to flood-affected families
Ottawa is helping residents recover essential household items damaged by July 1 flooding through a new Furniture Assistance Initiative.
Sources · local media reports
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The City of Ottawa is launching a Furniture Assistance Initiative to help flood-affected residents recover essential household items destroyed or damaged by the July 1 extreme weather event.
The city is partnering with Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa and Matthew House Ottawa to collect and distribute gently used donated furniture to eligible households facing the greatest challenges on the road to recovery. Assistance will be prioritized for low-income residents whose beds, couches, and other furnishings were damaged or destroyed and who face financial or other barriers to replacing them.
City staff will follow up with residents identified through wellness visits and service requests who may benefit from the initiative. Low-income residents who have not been contacted but require furniture assistance are encouraged to call 3-1-1 to have their needs assessed.
Matthew House is currently accepting unscheduled donations between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday at 700 Industrial Avenue, Bay 16. For larger donations, call 613-591-6681 ext. 2512 or email furnituredonations@matthewhouseottawa.org. Furniture can also be picked up for a fee.
Since the extreme weather event, city staff and community partners have conducted more than 6,000 wellness visits and 500 follow-up calls to check on residents' well-being and connect them with available services and supports.
The facts
What flooding event triggered this furniture assistance program?
The City of Ottawa launched the Furniture Assistance Initiative in response to extreme weather on July 1, 2026 that destroyed or damaged household furnishings for residents.
Who is eligible for furniture assistance?
Low-income residents whose beds, couches, and other furnishings were damaged or destroyed by the July 1, 2026 flooding and who face financial or other barriers to replacing them are eligible for assistance from the Furniture Assistance Initiative.
How can residents request furniture assistance?
Residents who have not been contacted by city staff can call 3-1-1 to have their needs assessed for the Furniture Assistance Initiative.
