Nov 14th, 2022

NEWS RELEASE – CMHC, CITY OF OTTAWA, CANADA AND ONTARIO GOVERNMENTS SUPPORT OCH’S CONSTRUCTION OF 271 NEW AFFORDABLE HOMES IN OTTAWA

Ottawa, ON – November 14, 2022 – Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, along with the Honourable Mona Fortier, President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for Ottawa–Vanier announced an investment of over $78 million to support the construction of 271 rental units, of which, more than half will be affordable.

The Honourable Ahmed Hussen and the Honourable Mona Fortier were joined by Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa, Mayor-Elect Mark Sutcliffe, Stéphane Giguère, CEO of Ottawa Community Housing (OCH), Councillor Mathieu Fleury, Board Chair of OCH, and Councillor Rawlson King (Rideau-Rockcliffe), to make this significant announcement for the City of Ottawa.

Mikinak Community, located at 715 Mikinak Road in Rideau-Rockcliffe, is a 271-unit housing community. The project will provide a mix of unit sizes with varying affordability levels, including average-market rent units and below-market rent units. The development will help benefit women, children, Indigenous peoples, and households on the Centralized Waiting List.

The initiative is receiving federal funding through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF), a $13.2 billion pillar of the National Housing Strategy, as well as the Federal Lands Initiative (FLI). This $200 million fund supports the transfer of surplus federal lands and buildings to be used as affordable housing. The FLI is a National Housing Strategy initiative delivered by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Public Service and Procurement Canada (PSPC), Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), and Canada Lands Company. The project also receives over $2.6 million from the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI), a cost-shared program between Ontario and the Government of Canada aimed at creating new housing and increasing housing affordability.

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As Canada’s authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of the Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC’s aim is that by 2030, everyone in Canada will have a home they can afford that meets their needs. For more information, please visit cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook. To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, please visit www.placetocallhome.ca.

Ottawa Community Housing Corporation provides approximately 15,000 homes to about 32,000 tenants, including seniors, parents, children, couples, singles and persons with disabilities, within many communities across the City of Ottawa. OCHC houses a diverse population of varying languages, ethnicities and cultures. OCHC is the largest social, community and affordable housing provider in Ottawa and an industry-leading builder of affordable housing. In 2021, OCHC was selected as one of the National Capital Region’s Top Employers, the fourth year in a row.

Information on this news release

Arevig Afarian
Office of the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
Arevig.Afarian@infc.gc.ca

Media Relations

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
media@cmhc-schl.gc.ca

Ottawa Community Housing Corporation
media@och.ca

 

“Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund and Federal Lands Initiative, we are creating hundreds of new affordable housing units right here in Ottawa. Thanks to today’s announcement, more individuals and families in Ottawa will now have access to deeply affordable homes. This is another example of our government’s National Housing Strategy at work.” The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion

 

“This investment from the Government of Canada’s National Housing Co-investment Fund and Federal Lands Initiative is improving the economic and social well-being of the families who will soon call 715 Mikinak their home and is making Ottawa a better place to live. When people have a secure and stable home, they gain the confidence they need to succeed and fulfill their potential.” The Honourable Mona Fortier, President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for Ottawa–Vanier

 

“Today’s announcement is another milestone in the ongoing efforts to end Ontario’s housing supply crisis. We are encouraged by the federal government’s support for this new housing complex through the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative Program and look forward to continuing our work with partners at the federal and municipal levels to ensure all Ontarians can find a home that meets their needs and budget.” The Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

 

“Safe and affordable housing is key to helping all individuals and families in our city thrive. Housing available at 715 Mikinak Road, made possible through the federal government’s National Housing Co-Investment Fund and Federal Lands Initiative, will support those in most need and take us one step closer to ensuring everyone in Ottawa has a safe place to call home.” Jim Watson, Mayor of the City of Ottawa

 

“715 Mikinak is a prime example of OCH’s collaborative approach to helping address Ottawa’s affordable housing needs. Through our innovative partnerships with the Government of Canada, CMHC, the Government of Ontario, the City of Ottawa, we’re providing 271 homes for individuals and families in need. We look forward to welcoming tenants to this modern, sustainable, and vibrant community.” Stéphane Giguère, CEO of Ottawa Community Housing Corporation

Click here to know more about this new affordable housing community