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CCOC NewsNotes:
March 2019
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NewsNotes is written and published by CCOC's Communications Officer. Your comments, submissions and suggestions are welcome. The deadline for submission is the 15th of the month.
Call Adella Khan at 613-234-4065 ext. 239 or send an email. |
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Introducing: your new
Tenant & Community Engagement Facilitator
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We have a new position at the office—Tenant and Community Engagement Facilitator! You may recognize Hannah’s face from the service desk. She’ll now be connecting tenants, volunteers, and community members with issues that matter to them.
Do you want to share stories and food from your home country with your neighbours? Have you always wanted to host a documentary night? Would you like to help your community get out and vote in the federal election? Get in touch! We want to help you create friendly, connected, and environmentally sustainable neighbourhoods. Our communities are strongest when we know our neighbours, understand their stories, and share life together.
Share your community development ideas with Hannah and she can help you bring your goals to life.
If you’re interested in governance, CCOC is looking for committee and board members who represent our tenants.
Our next volunteer opportunity is Plant Days on May 4 and 5. If you’d like to help deliver plants to your neighbours, get in touch!
Contact Hannah at 613-234-4065 ext. 240 or email hannahvlaar@ccochousing.org to volunteer, learn more about membership, plan your community event, and knit your neighbourhood together!
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Stay safe! Avoid tax-related phone scams
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Phone calls claiming to be from the CRA are a phone scam. The CRA only communicates by official mail. Report a scammer if they call.
Many residents in the Ottawa area have reported receiving phone calls that claim to be from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). These calls are often threatening in nature, using aggressive language and claiming the person answering the phone owes money to the CRA. Immediate payment by credit card is demanded, or the person receiving the call is told to purchase a prepaid credit card and call back. Threats are made that if payment is not received the recipient may have charges pressed against them, have to go to jail, or be deported. The callers also sometimes leave voicemail messages giving the name of an "officer".
These calls are scams. They are made by people attempting to commit financial and/or identity theft. The CRA requests all such calls be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or by toll-free phone call to 1-888-495-8501.
Use the following guidelines to help protect you from these kinds of scams.
The CRA:
• never requests prepaid credit cards;
• never asks for information about your passport, health card, or driver's licence;
• never shares your taxpayer information with another person, unless you have provided the appropriate authorization; and
• never leaves personal information on your answering machine or asks you to leave a message containing your personal information on an answering machine.
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Aging and Accessibility Accommodations
CCOC wants all of our tenants to be able to live and age safely in their homes. Accommodations in the living space sometimes need to be made for this to happen. If you need a grab bar installed in your washroom or some other change to accommodate your abilities, we can help.
Contact your Maintenance Officer to explore options. If you're not sure who your Maintenance Officer is, contact CCOC at info@ccochousing.org or 613-234-4065 ext. 0.
We will work with you to figure out who can pay and how to get the work done so you can keep enjoying your home.
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Help with your electricity bill
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Get a monthly reduction on your electricity bill
If you have a low income, you may qualify for an ongoing reduction on your electricity bill through the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP).
Visit OntarioElectricitySupport.ca or call 1-855-831-8151 for information. A new online application allows you to apply quickly online.
Get one-time emergency financial assistance
The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) provides a one-time grant towards your electricity or natural gas bill if you are temporarily unable to make ends meet in an emergency situation.
Call 1-855-487-5327 for assistance with your bill.
Take advantage of special rules to manage your costs
If you have a low income you may qualify for special rules around security deposits, equalized billing without automatic withdrawal, arrears payment management and disconnections. To qualify for these special rules apply through the LEAP program (contact information above).
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Fil-Can Ottawa Community Tax Services
for seniors and people with disabilities only
474 Parkdale Avenue
filcanottawa.taxprep@gmail.com
Saturdays, March 13, March 30, and April 13, from 9 am to 3 pm
Ottawa Chinese Community Service Centre
400 Copper Street, suite 200
613-235-4875 ext. 138
By appointment
OCISO
for immigrants and refugees
959 Wellington St. West
613-725-5671 ext. 292
By appointment
Ottawa Chinese Alliance Church
22 Eccles
613-454-5649
Saturday, March 23 - 9 am to 4 pm
Saturday, April 6 - 9 am to 2 pm
Saturday, April 20 - 9 am to 2 pm
Samaritan Support Services of Ottawa-Carleton
1820 Carling Avenue
613-800-9167
Saturdays, March 2 to April 13 - 10 am to 1 pm
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Reminder: Flower order forms are coming next month!
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CCOC gives tenants free flowers, herbs, and vegetables to plant in common areas, in yards, on balconies, and in window boxes. Look for the order form in the April NewsNotes. It will also be available on our website in April.
The plants will be delivered on the first weekend in May.
This program relies on volunteers to sort and distribute the plants. To volunteer, email Hannah or call her at
613-234-4065, ext. 240.
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Calling all CCOC gardeners
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Do you want to grow fresh herbs, vegetables, and flowers?
Tenants are able to use gardening plots at many of our buildings. Returning gardeners are given first rights to building plots every year. Most years there are some plots that open up at each building, but by the time gardening season is in full swing all of the plots are usually taken. Empty plots are assigned on a first come, first served basis. The gardens are tenant-run and CCOC provides gardeners with access to water and gardening workshops.
To learn more and get involved, contact Natalia at natalia.snajdr@ccochousing.org or 613-234-4065 ext. 243.
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It's time to start your seeds!
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Seedy Saturday is an annual seed exchange and sale with an organic mini-market, garden talks and workshops, a swap table and organic snacks. Workshop seating is limited, so come early!
The Community Gardening Network will be there – drop by their table to learn more about the new regional seed bank initiative in the Ottawa region.
Saturday, March 2 from 10 am - 3 pm at the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre (Britannia Park) at 102 Greenview Avenue.
Free admission! For more information, email greta@seeds-organic.com
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CCOC Committee Meeting Schedule
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Some CCOC board and committee meetings will take place at 464 Metcalfe Street until office renovations are complete. Call CCOC at 613-234-4065, ext. 0 to confirm. Note: CCOC will pay taxi fare and family care for committee members attending meetings.
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Tenant & Community Engagement: March 5 and April 9 at 7:00 pm
Development Committee: March 21*, and April 9 at 7:00 pm
Facilities Management Committee: March 21 and April 18 at 7:00 pm
Rental Committee: March 19 and April 16 at 7:00 p.m.
Finance Committee: March 21* and April 18 at 7:00 pm
Board: March 27 and April 24 at 7:00 pm
*Joint Development and Finance meeting at the 464 Metcalfe meeting room
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