According to a census which was conducted at about that time, the population of the City of Ottawa was approximately 27,000. Of this population, 396 men, aged 65 years and older, resided in the city. Although the numbers were relatively small, the city was lacking in charitable institutions for destitute older men and the Home was founded to meet this growing need.
The Home was first located at 286 Sussex Drive, which is the present day site of the Royal Canadian Mint. Upon its opening, ten men were chosen to be its first residents or inmates, as they were known. The men were all in their 70’s and, of course, all were destitute.