Ottawa affordable housing projects receive $90M
The federal, provincial and local governments have announced combined funding of more than $90 million to support the construction of more than 270 units across Ottawa.
Federal housing minister Ahmed Hussen was among those on hand at a site in the city’s downtown on November 22 to make the announcement.
The five projects are being funded under a variety of programs within the National Housing Strategy, and will provide a mix of unit sizes with varying levels of affordability.
At 289 Carling Avenue, the six-storey Carling Avenue Supportive Housing project will include 40 self-contained affordable units, 8 of which are accessible. The facility will also offer on-site 24-hour support for transitional-aged youth and adults, people who are homeless or those at risk of becoming homeless, as well as women and their children.
Located at 159 Forward Avenue, a new four-storey building will house a mix of tenants with varying levels of accessibility and affordability needs across a range of unit sizes from studios to three-bedrooms. Of the building's 49 units, 30 will be designated as affordable; the remaining 19 units will have rents that are at or below the average market rent. The project received over $20 million in supports.
A third building, at 93 Norman, will be a nine-storey rental apartment building that offers affordable rents, accessible design and environmentally sustainable construction. Of the 122 units available, 36 will be able to accommodate women and their children. The project received over $48 million.
The fourth project, at 494 Lisgar, is 29-unit building offering supportive housing for women experiencing chronic homelessness with a focus on Indigenous Women. The program will have 24-hour support on-site with gender, trauma, and culturally responsive case management, and community development supports. Managed by the John Howard Society, the project received close to $14 million from the RHI.
The fifth and final project is located at 3380 Jockvale Road, and consists of 32 affordable housing units for families in the shelter system. Managed by Ottawa Community Housing, the project received $5.85 million in supports.
"Housing is a human right. In 2020 the City of Ottawa declared a housing and homelessness emergency,” said Ottawa Councillor Shawn Menard. “All orders of government must place high priority on creating not-for-profit housing and recognize our collective role in ending homelessness. The investments announced today are very welcome and must continue to meet the housing challenges we face."