Matthew Perry House Ottawa

Welcome to Matthew Perry House Ottawa

At Matthew Perry House, we are dedicated to supporting individuals on their journey to recovery from addiction and mental health challenges. Our mission is to provide a safe, compassionate, and inclusive space where people can find healing, hope, and lasting support.

Matthew Perry House Ottawa is a first-of-its-kind supportive recovery community being developed in Ottawa. When complete, it will provide housing and comprehensive, person-centered recovery supports for more than 160 people at a time — all under one roof. Rooted in partnership, this landmark project brings together housing and healthcare experts, people with lived and living experience, and leaders from across the health and social support sectors. Our vision is bold: to reimagine long-term recovery care and create a model that can be adapted across the country.

From the outset, Matthew Perry House has been shaped by collaboration — not only with experienced service providers, but also with institutions, city officials, and national leaders in mental health and addiction care. Our approach is grounded in three values: transparency, collaboration, and respect.

Together with our valued partner organizations, Ottawa SalusCAPSAThe RoyalRideauwoodOttawa Black Mental Health Coalition, Ottawa Community Housing, and Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition, we offer a holistic approach that combines expert care, community connection, and personalized resources to empower each person to rebuild their life with dignity. 

Whether you are seeking help for yourself or a loved one, this hub provides everything you need to know about our programs, timelines, and how to get involved. We’re here to walk this path with you — every step of the way.

Program Information

What is Matthew Perry House (MPH)? 

Matthew Perry House is a supportive residential program in Ottawa designed for individuals transitioning out of treatment for substance use and mental health challenges. Named in honour of actor and advocate Matthew Perry, MPH offers a safe, stable environment focused on sustained recovery and relapse prevention, helping individuals build strong foundations for long-term wellness. 

Who Can Apply? 

MPH is open to adults who have recently completed a primary treatment or detox program and are seeking continued support to maintain sobriety. The program is best suited for individuals who are ready for the next phase of recovery and want to strengthen their coping skills, rebuild routine, and re-integrate into the community with confidence. 

Program Goals and Approach

MPH’s goal is to bridge the critical gap between treatment and long-term recovery. 

Through a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach, the program focuses on: 

Types of Services Offered:

Frequently Asked Questions

Ottawa was Matthew’s home, where he grew up, discovered his love for tennis, and formed some of his most meaningful memories. It was important to start this journey in a place that was part of his story, but our vision goes beyond one city. We are committed to expanding Matthew Perry House to other communities, creating more spaces where people can find stability, support, and a fresh start. 

Matthew Perry House Ottawa is designed for individuals who have completed a treatment program and are looking for a stable, supportive environment as they continue their recovery journey. 

The design is in its final stages. The project will include approximately 160 homes across three distinct buildings, along with dedicated programming space. 

Matthew Perry House is at the centre of the Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada’s vision of ensuring people have access to comprehensive, long-term support on their recovery journey. We will always work in collaboration with experienced organizations to ensure that Matthew Perry Houses feel like home, reflect the communities around them, and provide care that meets the unique needs of every resident. While MPFC is committed to upholding the highest standards in care, day-to-day operations and resident support at Matthew Perry House Ottawa will be overseen by Ottawa Salus. 

Matthew Perry House Ottawa is a collaboration between: 

Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada (MPFC) provides overall leadership and direction for Matthew Perry House Ottawa, ensuring the initiative aligns with its mission to support long-term recovery. 

Salus Ottawa is a leader in supportive housing, bringing decades of experience in providing stable, recovery-focused accommodations for individuals facing mental health and addiction challenges. At Matthew Perry House Ottawa, Salus oversees day-to-day operations and plays a key role in program design, ensuring residents have access to safe housing, mental health support, life skills development, and community reintegration resources.  

Rideauwood Addiction & Family Services brings decades of expertise in addiction treatment and recovery support to Matthew Perry House Ottawa. As a leader in evidence-based treatment programming, Rideauwood is responsible for designing and delivering tailored recovery programs that meet the diverse needs of residents. Their approach integrates counseling, life skills development, and relapse prevention strategies, ensuring individuals have the tools and support they need to maintain long-term stability. 

Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) is the developer of Matthew Perry House Ottawa. OCH brings expertise in housing development, overseeing the construction process and collaborating with architects, city planners, and contractors to bring the project to life. 

CAPSA plays a vital role in ensuring that Matthew Perry House Ottawa fosters a non-judgmental, person-centered approach to recovery. As a leader in reducing stigma and promoting evidence-based support, CAPSA is responsible for program design and operation, ensuring that residents receive compassionate, judgment-free care. By integrating lived experience into recovery programming, CAPSA helps create an environment where individuals feel empowered, supported, and understood as they work toward long-term stability. 

The Royal is providing the land where Matthew Perry House Ottawa will be built by issuing a free long-term lease of three-acres of land at 1145 Carling Ave. This collaboration leverages a public asset to support the public good by helping to provide individuals with the on-going safety, connection and support that is essential to recovery.  Residents of Matthew Perry House will also have access to many programs and services offered by The Royal to help support them in their recovery. 

Ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for residents and the surrounding community is a top priority. Matthew Perry House will have on-site support, offered in collaboration with local organizations, to maintain safety for all residents. In addition, residents of Matthew Perry House will commit to a good-neighbour policy based in respect and kindness. This isn’t just about safety, but about building more vibrant and friendly communities everywhere.  

Matthew Perry House is designed to meet an unmet need. It will have differences and similarities to other housing initiatives. Here are some examples of what we mean. 

Length of residency: Residents of Matthew Perry House will have access to supportive housing and programs as long as suits their needs. Most residents will live at MPH for multiple years.  

Where we meet people: Many initiatives related to substance use recovery focus on acute care. They people they serve are just beginning a journey. Because we meet people a little ways down their paths to wellness, we do not offer early-recovery interventions like detox or safe use facilities. Residents of Matthew Perry House will have already accessed those earlier interventions, completely overcome symptomatic withdrawal, and arrive at MPH with the goal of ensuring that they can find life-long success in recovery. 

A community space: Matthew Perry House is about finding strength and wellness together. We want to ensure that the community as a whole is part of what we mean when we say “together.”  

The project is in the early stages. Construction is expected to begin in the Spring of 2026 following the necessary approvals and community engagement processes. The goal is to welcome residents as soon as the buildings are completed and ready to offer the supportive environment they are designed for. We will keep the community updated as the project progresses. 

Funding comes from a combination of private donations, grants, and partnerships with organizations dedicated to recovery and mental health.  

We are working through the necessary approval processes, engaging with the community, and ensuring all zoning and permitting requirements are met. 

We recognize the high demand for supportive housing like this and the urgent need for long-term recovery options. While we are still in the early stages, we are working to ensure a thoughtful and accessible application process. Once applications open, all details will be available on our website. 

You can help by spreading awareness, donating, volunteering, or partnering with us to expand long-term recovery support. Join our mailing list for ways to get involved. 

The Royal owns 24 acres of land on Carling Avenue in Ottawa, home to the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre. Like other cities across Canada, Ottawa faces a critical shortage of supportive housing for people with mental illness and addiction. This lack of housing creates barriers to accessing care and services and prevents stable transitions for patients moving from hospitals or inpatient treatment programs back into the community. Recognizing this urgent need, The Royal took action to make a meaningful impact where and how it could.

To address this gap, The Royal is issuing a long-term lease—at no cost—of three acres of its land for the construction of Matthew Perry House. This innovative use of a public asset to meet community demand for housing is one of the first of its kind in Canada, providing not just homes but also a full spectrum of support services.

Several factors influenced the decision on where to situate Matthew Perry House on The Royal’s campus. Protecting hospital operations was a key priority, particularly minimizing disruptions to parking facilities, which are essential for staff and patients. Additionally, ensuring the well-being of future residents was paramount, leading to the decision to avoid proximity to the nearby hydro station, which could pose concerns related to noise, electromagnetic fields, or visual impact.

Given the constraints on available land, careful consideration was required to find a suitable location that met the program’s needs. The area near Byng Drive emerged as the most logical choice, providing the necessary space while maintaining a respectful distance from neighboring properties to the north. A key advantage of this location is its minimal impact on the existing tree line, preserving a natural barrier that enhances the aesthetic, ecological, and visual appeal of the area.

This thoughtful, community-oriented approach ensures that Matthew Perry House is integrated into its surroundings in a way that prioritizes both resident well-being and environmental sustainability while maintaining the functionality of The Royal’s essential services.

Testimonials

These are stories from residents of Ottawa Salus, one of our valued program partners. Their experiences reflect the positive impact that supportive housing and mental health services can have — the kind of change Matthew Perry House Ottawa is proud to help foster in our community.

“My Case Manager stuck with me through ups and downs, and helped me through a lot of tough situations… I have friends here, I started learning how to do chores, learning to cook, and then was taking on more responsibilities. I started to say to myself – I’m on the right path now.”
- Romeo
“They helped me to believe that I shouldn’t give up, and that there’s help out there for anyone in need. I went from feeling scared and lost to feeling reassured that I could be successful. This is just the beginning of a new chapter in my story and a new book of my life.”
- Claire
“If I didn’t have supportive housing, I’d be on the street. I don’t really have that much family support. But with the support from my programs, and my neighbours, I have that first step. I want to keep moving forward.”
- Jon

Key Timelines and Deadlines

Project Roadmap

The phases of work below reflect the complexity and ambition of a project like Matthew Perry House. Many of these activities will happen in parallel, in alignment with the City of Ottawa’s Development Review Process.

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Resources

If you or someone you love needs support with mental health or addiction, you’re not alone. In partnership with Kids Help Phone, you can access local, trusted resources through their Resources Around Me tool: