On June 9 the City’s Planning Committee approved a spending plan for more than $33.7 million – in part to create new affordable housing through partnerships with housing providers, and in part to stabilize existing projects currently under construction.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted labour and supply chains, and the spending plan aims to help relieve some of the resulting pressure on projects already underway. Of the $33.7 million, commitments include:
- $10 million to Ottawa Community Housing Corporation to support Phase 2 of Rochester Heights, with construction starting this year on 270 affordable units at 818 Gladstone Avenue.
- $7.2 million to Nepean Housing Corporation to build a three-storey apartment building with 31 affordable units at Dunbar Court, starting in late 2022 or early 2023.
- Up to $2 million to be allocated through a pilot program for private sector developers to deliver affordable rental units in conjunction with National Housing Strategy programs.
- Up to $1.2 million to be allocated to Ontario Renovates for capital repairs and accessibility modifications, with expanded eligibility requirements to consider applications from both Community Housing providers and not-for-profit landlords, in addition to seniors and persons with disabilities.
- $13.3 million from the housing reserve as a contingency fund for housing projects underway that are at risk due to rising costs, or to help non-profit housing providers purchase properties to establish affordable rental housing.
The planned allocation of the 2022 capital budget will help fund about 300 new, permanent affordable housing units – bringing the total number of units under development across Ottawa to 1,500.
The Committee approved Official Plan and zoning amendments as well as a heritage permit to facilitate redevelopment at the southwest corner of Richmond Road and Island Park Drive. The applicant proposes to relocate an historic service station on this property – the single-storey Champlain Oil Company Service Station. That building would be rehabilitated and integrated with the ground-floor retail portion of a new, nine-storey apartment building. The building would step down from nine to two storeys on the south side to ensure appropriate transitions to existing low-rise homes.
The amendment would require the applicant to invest nearly $750,000 to improve the intersection at Island Park Drive and Richmond Road. They would also invest nearly $195,000 toward Kitchissippi Ward’s affordable housing fund.
In the ByWard Market, the Committee approved a zoning amendment to permit construction of a 22-storey hotel and apartment building east of Dalhousie Street, between York and George streets. The design includes 214 hotel rooms and 280 rental apartments. The project includes the adaptive reuse of the S.J. Major Building on York Street, and the amendment would allow for portions of that building to be removed without being rebuilt.
Recommendations from the June 9 meeting will rise to Council on Wednesday, June 22.
