Two people smiling while organizing a home.Three people's hands holding each others wrists in a supportive triangle.Two men smile in conversation.

Increasing knowledge in the Ottawa area on hoarding issues and sharing resources among partners.

Where compassion meets collaboration — advancing care, together.

Who We Are

The Ottawa Hoarding Response Coalition

The Ottawa Hoarding Response Coalition (OHRC) is a collaborative community initiative formed under the leadership of Options Housing and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ottawa. 

The coalition focuses on addressing hoarding issues in Ottawa, particularly among tenants with low incomes. Our coalition unites community service providers, landlords, mental health professionals, and individuals with lived experience to develop and implement effective strategies for hoarding intervention and support.

Homelessness in Ottawa is on the rise –

and when people experiencing hoarding challenges get the support they need, it helps them stay in their housing and proactively prevent homelessness.
Explore Our Resources

Our Work

The Ottawa Hoarding Response Coalition (OHRC) works to:
Build knowledge and use of best practices in hoarding amongst community service providers,  landlords and other stakeholders
Identify the scope and impact of hoarding in Ottawa, particularly in social and supportive housing
Advocate for systems approaches and resources to address hoarding
Support Coalition members with the hoarding situations they are trying to resolve and learn from each other
Develop strategies for intervening for severe/unsafe levels of hoarding
Support the work of the Hoarding Assistance program at Options Housing
The Coalition holds quarterly membership meetings to collaborate on priorities, identify emerging issues and share progress on objectives. In between Coalition meetings, the CARES Committee works to further the Coalition priorities.
As well, the Coalition hosts virtual, quarterly Case Conversation meetings. These meetings offer a supportive space to anonymously share complex hoarding-related cases, exchange information, and learn about available resources through collaborative discussion with a diverse group of professionals. These meetings are open to community organizations and social and cooperative housing providers across Ottawa. 
Contact Us to Learn More

Get Support

Two people grasping hands, cropped to the shape of a house.
If you need help with hoarding, know that you are not alone.
The Hoarding Assistance Team (HAT), offered by Options Housing, supports individuals living in supportive and subsidized housing who may be at risk of losing their homes due to hoarding behaviours. We understand the challenges that come with this issue, and we’re here to help.
Hoarding Assistance Team
Are you asking yourself “is this program right for me?” Our Clutter Image Scale is a great place to start.
Download Resource

If you or a friend or family member matches the following criteria, we encourage an application to the HAT program:

  • Resides in Ottawa
  • Is at least 18 years of age
  • Consents to this referral
  • Lives in social housing, supported housing, and/or receives a housing subsidy
  • Housing is being placed at risk due to hoarding behaviour
Explore More Resources

Resources

Resources to help in assessing and intervening in hoarding situations.

Hoarding Assessment and Information Resources

Clutter Image Rating

International OCD Foundation, Hoarding Center

The Clutter Image Rating Scale is a visual assessment tool that uses photographs of rooms at various stages of clutter to help individuals and clinicians gauge the severity of a hoarding problem.

Access Resource

Home Environment Assessment Tool for Hoarding (HEATH)

UBC Department of Psychology, Centre for Collaborative Research on Hoarding

Use this tool to assess the home for risky conditions related to hoarding. The HEATH will guide you to assess the level of risk in five categories.

Access Resource

10 Steps to a Safer, Healthier and More Comfortable Home

Wellington Guelph Hoarding Network

Bilingual checklist infographic that guides individuals through ten practical steps to improve home safety and livability.

Access Resource

UBC Hoarding Knowledge Hub

UBC Department of Psychology, Centre for Collaborative Research on Hoarding

A hub that brings together tools, curated resources, and guidance on hoarding, including general mental health resources and tips for conducting client-centered clean-outs.

Access Resource

Community Resources in Ottawa

Hoarding Assistance Team

Options Housing

The Hoarding Assistance Team provides intensive case management supports to people living in Supportive and Community Housing who are at risk of losing their homes due to hoarding behaviours.

Access Resource

211 Ontario

Government of Ontario

211 is a helpline for information & referral details on community, social services, health and government services in Ontario

Access Resource

Upcoming Events

View Past Events

Buried in Treasures Summer Session

2026/06/25
Ottawa, Ontario

The Options Housing Hoarding Assistance Team (HAT) is currently accepting referrals for our 16-week peer-led workshop. HAT helps people avoid homelessness caused by hoarding; individuals/clients are invited to join our workshop to gain insight and strategies to overcome these challenges. Registrations close on June 15, 2026.

Apply