OVERBROOK COMMUNITY
Background
Overbrook is an urban neighbourhood bounded by the former City of Vanier to the north, the Rideau River to the west, Highway 417 to the south, and St. Laurent Boulevard to the east. It spans an area of 3 square kilometres and boasts a population of nearly 10,000.
Ottawa Community Housing has a proud history within Overbrook, dating back to the early 1950s. OCH has 1,000 apartments on 50 acres, serving 2,900 tenants. More specifically, our presence is within several communities known as:
- “Bon Logis” (detached homes built in 1954)
- “Père Charlebois” (4-storey building built in 1967),
- “LowRen” (row townhomes built in 1952),
- “Queen Mary Court” (a 3-storey building built in 1963) and
- “Cairine-Dubeau” (row townhomes built in 1984)
OCH Communities in Overbrook
This map represents OCH Communities and Homes in Overbrook; the legend illustrates the land holdings, geographic area, building types and unit mix in 2021.
WE ARE IN FOR THE LONG HAUL
Renewals of this nature is not done overnight; it takes time, a strategic approach, and must be done collaboratively – with OCH tenants, the community and the City of Ottawa, among other stakeholder groups. Equally important is that renewal is best done in a phased manner. By this we mean one parcel/block at a time, sensitively scaled, and over a long-term horizon (e.g. 10-20 years).
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IS KEY
OCH looks forward to continued engagement with our tenants and the community, to chart an exciting new future for Overbrook. The needs of our tenants and their families will be key. We will provide complete support to any tenants that may be impacted and require re-housing, if/when applicable, with ample notice and support in exploring rehousing options. At the same time, we will continue to engage with the community to ensure that our plans are responsible and address the needs/opportunities that are unique to Overbrook.
THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS RENEWAL
Objectives will be expanded upon according to an engagement with OCH tenants and the community but will include :
• Innovation and sustainability in building and site design
• New, modern, proud, safe/secure affordable housing, meeting the needs of OCH tenants
• Select opportunities for private sector housing, as well as retail and office uses (i.e. mixed-use)
• Varied building forms and heights, as appropriate, based on proximity to Donald and St-Laurent
• Pursuing opportunities for open space, access to parks, and improved circulation
• Supporting the needs of pedestrians and cyclists, while accommodating vehicles
IMPORTANT MILESTONES TO DATE…
OCH Due Diligence 2020-2021
Assessment and evaluation of the portfolio of homes and communities in Overbrook
Tenant/Community Info Sessions
#1: November 5, 2020
#2: December 6, 2021
Overbrook Community Association Planning Committee:
Preliminary meeting with OCA Planning Committee: January 14, 2021
Overbrook Community Renewal Newsletter for OCH Tenants
#1 November 2020
#2 June 2021
#3 December 2021
The survey was shared in June 2021. It is now closed. Thank you to those who participated and provided feedback.
Read articles about the Overbrook Community Renewal
FAQ – About the Renewal Project:
- WHY IS OCH LOOKING AT A COMMUNITY RENEWAL IN OVERBROOK?
OCH has a housing renewal strategy in place for replacing older buildings with newer ones;
- better suited to current tenant needs
- to the neighbourhoods
- modern, sustainable, and offer a renewed lifespan
- expands services and support based on the needs of the community
- WHAT IS OCH PLANNING FOR THIS COMMUNITY?
Although we are in the early stages of planning the Overbrook Renewal project, based on some early consultations with tenants, partners, and local associations, OCH is assessing the following factors in the development of the Renewal plan for Overbrook:
- Connectivity & Circulation (pedestrian, cyclists, vehicles)
- Mixed-product offerings (varied residential designs)
- Collaborative (involve tenants/community in process)
- MIXED-INCOME (public rental OCH), private rental, private ownership)
- MIXED-USE (15-minute community)
- Mixed-density (low-, mid-rise)
- Mixed-life stages (families, seniors, couples, singles)
- Proud, safe & secure – community attributes
- Accessibility – units and public spaces
- Open Space/Park access (every to be 400 m to park)
- Partnerships (public & private sector)
- Innovation & Sustainability
- WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS ON TENANTS AND THE COMMUNITY?
OCH’s commitment to tenants – the principles:
- Provide options and support to tenants
- Work with agencies to assist tenants requiring additional supports
- Make every effort to minimize disruption to tenants
- Communicate information to tenants in a clear and timely manner
- Continue to provide rental subsidies for tenants who have them at the
time of rehousing - Provide tenants with ample notice should they need to be rehoused
- WHEN WILL YOU START BUILDING NEW HOMES?
We cannot provide a specific date for when re-housing is required. However, we can confirm that the process may start in 2022. The renewal project has started but is in the early stages of planning. OCH does a complete assessment of the community to identify needs before anything is decided. Concept plans need to be developed with tenant and community input. Once completed, then OCH works with the City through the development process. The planning approval process is estimated to take a year and is required before any construction can start.
- CAN I PROVIDE INPUT TO THE OVERBROOK RENEWAL PLAN?
Yes. The City will be engaging the neighbourhood in the planning process. OCH will share a survey with the community. Please subscribe to the email alert to ensure you will receive a link to the survey. There will be many additional opportunities to provide feedback. You can always share ideas with our team by sending an email to info@och.ca with Overbrook Renewal as the subject.
- ARE YOU CONSIDERING BUILDING A COMMUNITY HOUSE?
When new developments are designed, OCH takes inventory of what a community has and what it possibly needs to develop a vibrant community for all residents. This is an opportunity to focus on new amenities that will benefit the community and tenants.
You can send us an email with your suggestions at info@och.ca with the subject line: Overbrook Renewal.
- I LIVE IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD, BUT I’M NOT AN OCH TENANT, WHAT CAN I EXPECT?
Once construction begins, there most likely will be some noise, heavy machinery, potential water and electrical disruptions. OCH, contractors and/or City will share information in advance for service disruptions. We are also engaging and collaborating with community stakeholders and partners, such as the Overbrook Community Association, Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre and Options Bytown. We will keep partners up-to-date on the important milestones for the renewal project. You can also visit this webpage for any new updates or sign up for the Overbrook Renewal Updates email alerts.
How does it impact tenants living in Overbrook?
- WHEN WILL I KNOW HOW OR IF THIS WILL IMPACT ME?
Keeping tenants informed in their communities has and always will be a top priority for OCH. We are still in the very early stages of the Overbrook Redevelopment Plan, and currently, we do not have a firm timeline for any rehousing activities. Rest assured that as details become available, we will be communicating this directly to the Overbrook community well in advance of anyone having to move.
- HOW LONG WILL THIS TAKE FOR OCH TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT?
We are in the very initial stages of planning for this multi-year renewal project. There are still many steps in the process before establishing a clear timeline, including the rental process moving forward.
- WHAT IF I AM HOUSED NOW, CAN I MOVE SOONER?
There is no immediate plan to begin rehousing at this time. If you are currently on a transfer list for any reason and are interested in moving sooner, contact the Tenancy Administration team at 613-731-1182 Option 4 to be connected withsomeone who can review your request.
- I HAVE QUESTIONS, WHO CAN I CONTACT?
Send inquiries by email at info@och.ca:
Subject line: Overbrook Renewal.