Canada/$110 million plan for affordable housing in Ottawa

On Wednesday, the City of Ottawa's Planning and Housing Committee approved a plan to devote $110 million over three years to affordable housing.

This plan translates into funding for non-profit organizations with which the city partners to build affordable housing, often with support services.

The package includes housing funds from the federal and provincial governments.

While pleased that his fellow committee members approved the investment plan, Kitchissippi Councillor Jeff Leiper pointed out that the $110 million released is clearly insufficient, given the high demand.

Our affordable housing partners have projects they'd like to build. But at this point, it's uncertain, with this funding, [whether] we'll actually be able to move forward and build the units," he said.

Rising construction costs

To meet demand, the City would need to invest an additional $375 million, said Paul Lavigne, Director of Housing Services for the City of Ottawa.

If we had that kind of money, it would go a long way to advancing our goals, given the number of projects we have ready to go," he said.

One of the major challenges highlighted at the City's Planning and Housing Committee meeting was the skyrocketing cost of construction, which, according to staff, has jumped 51% since 2020.

According to the city administration, the $110 million will be invested in part to build 133 new units, and will serve as emergency funding to complete the construction of 408 units currently underway.

For Mary Huang, president of the Downtown Community Association, the municipality should partner with the federal government to find a way to convert vacant public service space into affordable housing.

A lot of people are in difficulty. There are people sleeping on the streets, in encampments, behind community gardens and outside condominium buildings," said Ms. Huang, when invited to speak at Wednesday's meeting.

The affordable housing strategy must still be approved by City Council. A vote is scheduled for September 13.

Source: ici.radio-canada.ca/