Indwell markets itself as “a Christian charity that creates affordable housing communities that support people seeking health, wellness and belonging.” Whenever a contemporary charity actively affiliates itself with religion, there are probably good reasons to be on guard. Foremost on our minds ought to be why the chartable agency (a form of legal entity or corporation) needs to feature religion. Is the actual work being done by the organization not good enough to stand on its own?

With that in mind, we recommend a review of Home Safe Home – But Not at Indwell, a report by Marvin Ross and Karen Ross with files from Dr. David Laing Dawson.

The 27-page report begins with the question, “Is the Christian charity Indwell so focused on the heavens that they cannot see the many problems in their building?” and concludes that, “Until Indwell is forced to address the violence in their buildings then Indwell will never be Home Safe Home.“

Humanist, atheist, agnostic organizations in Canada have frequently expressed concern regarding tax advantages doled-out to clergy. Perhaps it is also time for secularists to extend that concern to overtly religious charities. And perhaps it is time for the citizens of communities that host these organizations to be considerably more demanding that powerful charities face significantly more scrutiny and accountability.

After all, as a corporation, Indwell claims to be, ” the fastest growing developer of new supportive affordable housing in Ontario. Indwell’s communities support over 1300 tenants in regions across Southern and Southwestern Ontario—with several projects currently under construction or pre-development. Indwell empowers tenants to achieve health and wellness goals, and to constructively engage with their communities.” If that doesn’t cause humanists concern…it probably should.

Did you know that the Canadian Centre for Christian Charities serves a membership of 3200 organizations and…”Based on total annual revenue: 13% have less than $100,000 revenue, 33% are between $100,000 and $300,000, 31% are between$ $300,000 and $1 million, 20% are between $1 million and $10 million, and, 3% have more than 10 million in revenue”.

Up For Discussion

If you’re interested in analyzing and discussing this issue, there are actions you can take. First, here at Humanist Heritage Canada (Humanist Freedoms), we are open to receiving your well-written articles.

Second, we encourage you to visit the New Enlightenment Project’s (NEP) Facebook page and discussion group.

Citations, References And Other Reading

1. Featured Photo Courtesy of : New Enlightenment Project
2. https://drive.google.com/file/d/13ERArBT24-mIUiYtGheu6BZjQItX9t4j/view
3. https://indwell.ca/
4. https://dawsonross.wordpress.com/2024/11/11/guest-post-the-myth-of-wrap-around-supports-at-supportive-housing-indwell-and-an-armed-standoff-with-police/
5. https://dawsonross.wordpress.com/2024/12/04/a-government-funded-slum-our-second-comprehensive-report-on-indwell/

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