Ottawa Community Housing Corporation (OCHC) has received a huge funding boost from the federal government.

Ahmed Hussen, the Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), announced a $165.6-million financial commitment from the federal government on June 24. About $65 million of that money comes in the form of a nine-year forgivable loan that OCHC will use for capital repairs.

The overall funding will help OCHC upgrade and extend the lifespan of more than 11,000 units, while improving tenant health, safety, comfort and overall quality of life.

“This investment will improve and extend the lifespan of 11,000 community housing units, positively impacting 22,000 tenants through energy efficient retrofits, upgraded kitchens, floors and more accessible units,” said federal Infrastructure Minister and Ottawa Centre MP Catherine McKenna. “This incredible partnership between the federal government, the City of Ottawa and Ottawa Community Housing will help address critical housing needs.”

The projected total cost for OCHC’s capital repairs portfolio project is estimated to be $301 million. It plans improvements for accessibility, energy efficiency, fire life safety renewal, access and security, building envelope, structural repair program, elevator modernization program, building systems, unit interiors, and other infrastructures.

The work also aims to achieve an improvement of at least 25 percent in energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions.

“These significant investments by the Government of Canada through CMHC, the City of Ottawa and Ottawa Community Housing Corporation will breathe new life into OCH homes, fully supporting OCH's strategy to meet housing needs and provide quality homes to tenants,” said OCHC CEO Stéphane Giguère. “The funding will improve accessibility and energy efficiency and modernize building stock with nine years of sustained and secure funding.”

OCHC is the largest social and affordable housing provider in Ottawa, and the fourth largest in Canada. It manages two-thirds of the city’s social and affordable housing portfolio, and provides social and affordable housing for some of Ottawa’s most vulnerable populations.

The federal funding is being delivered through CMHC’s National Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF), which supports new and revitalization construction of mixed-income, mixed-tenure, and mixed-use affordable housing.

Through the NHCF, the Government of Canada aims to work with partners to build up to 60,000 new affordable homes and repair up to 240,000 existing affordable and community homes over the next 10 years. The government also plans to use investments from the NHCF to create or repair at least 4,000 shelter spaces for victims of family violence and create at least 7,000 new affordable housing units for seniors and 2,400 new affordable housing units for people with developmental disabilities.

The NHCF is a key pillar of the Government of Canada’s National Housing Strategy.

Featured image: Ottawa Community Housing properties. (Ottawa Community Housing Corporation)