May 24th, 2023
News Release: Ontario Investing in More Affordable Housing in Ottawa
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Additional funding will continue to support vulnerable populations experiencing or at risk of homelessness
Ottawa, ON – May 24, 2023 – The Ontario government is investing an additional $24.1 million in affordable housing in Ottawa to create up to 138 affordable and supportive housing units.
The project, known as Mikinak, is a joint initiative between the City of Ottawa and Ottawa Community Housing Corporation (OCHC) that, once completed, will contain a total of 271 units across three buildings. The project will provide supports for seniors, families, Indigenous households and persons with developmental disabilities. More than 20 per cent of the units across the project will be accessible.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates our government’s commitment to tackling homelessness and ending the housing supply crisis in Ontario,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Our government’s support for the Mikinak project builds on the historic investments we have made in homelessness prevention and reinforces our constructive partnership with the City of Ottawa. This announcement also reflects the unique challenges and pressures facing Ottawa when it comes to tackling homelessness, as a service provider for people coming to the city from across Eastern and Northern Ontario.”
Located at 715 Mikinak Road, the project is being built on the former Canadian Forces Base Rockcliffe lot. The mid-rise buildings will include housing for people on the city’s social housing waitlist, which includes people residing in the emergency shelter system and offsite facilities such as hotels and motels.
“Every person, regardless of their circumstances, deserves a roof over their heads and a safe place to call home,” said Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa. “That’s why this announcement is very important for the City of Ottawa. It comes at a critical time and it demonstrates that the City and the Province of Ontario can work together towards our common goal of ending chronic homelessness by building more affordable housing and supportive housing. This announcement is an important step in our ongoing discussion about fair and appropriate funding for housing and homelessness prevention and it helps Ottawa build more affordable and supportive units in the next year. I want to personally thank Premier Doug Ford and Minister Steve Clark for this welcome announcement. This comes after a lot of very healthy and productive dialogue and collaboration.”
OCHC is the largest provider of social housing in Ottawa and is Ontario’s second-largest housing provider. Supported by the City of Ottawa, OCHC manages a portfolio of approximately 15,000 affordable and community housing units for more than 32,000 people across Ottawa.
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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, a fourth year in a row.
Media Contacts
Victoria Podbielski
Minister’s Office
victoria.podbielski2@ontario.ca
Communications Branch
Ontario.ca/housing
MMA.media@ontario.ca
Disponible en français
Ottawa Community Housing Corporation
QUICK FACTS
- Through the Community Housing Renewal Strategy, response to COVID-19 and homelessness initiatives, over the past three years Ontario invested nearly $4.4 billion for community and supportive housing while addressing homelessness and the impacts of the pandemic for vulnerable Ontarians.
- Through Budget 2023, the government has made historic investments in homelessness prevention across Ontario, including more than $31 million annually – an increase of 38 per cent from the previous year – for the Indigenous Supportive Housing Program.
- In 2022, the government introduced the More Homes Built Faster Act, which takes bold action to address the housing crisis by building 1.5 million homes by 2031. The plan also has measures to reduce municipal charges for housing providers looking to build non-profit and affordable housing for vulnerable Ontarians.
- In 2023, the government introduced the Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act, which proposes historic changes to ensure security and support for tenants and first-time homebuyers in Ontario, while also supporting the government’s goal to build 1.5 million homes by 2031.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Ontario Increasing Homelessness Prevention Support for Indigenous People
- Ontario Providing More Supportive Housing for Vulnerable People
- Ontario Introduces Next Steps to Support Housing Supply Growth
- Ontario’s Housing Supply Progress
Quotes
“Today’s announcement demonstrates our government’s commitment to tackling homelessness and ending the housing supply crisis in Ontario. Our government’s support for the Mikinak project builds on the historic investments we have made in homelessness prevention and reinforces our constructive partnership with the City of Ottawa. This announcement also reflects the unique challenges and pressures facing Ottawa when it comes to tackling homelessness, as a service provider for people coming to the city from across Eastern and Northern Ontario.”
– The Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
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“Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home and the Mikinak project is another step towards achieving that result. I look forward to the completion of this project and the positive impact it will have on the lives of so many in Ottawa. Ultimately, it’s all about creating a better future for Ontarians, and I am proud of our government’s effort to do just that.”
–Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Housing
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“The Mikinak project will be a game-changer for many families throughout the Ottawa region. Our government is not only providing much-needed housing for families, seniors, Indigenous households and persons with developmental disabilities, but the development of the project will also stimulate the local economy with jobs and contracts for people working in the trades and in the construction industry. There are multiple layers of families and individuals who will benefit from the Mikinak project.
–Goldie Ghamari, MPP for Carleton
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“Ottawa is open for business, open for tourism and open for hi-tech – and to be truly open we need to invest in people, talent, culture, sports and homelessness. This announcement will ensure that Ottawa is not only competitive but also compassionate – with provincial funding that addresses our city’s unique needs when it comes to fighting homelessness and providing Ottawa residents a safe and secure place to call home.”
–Lisa MacLeod, MPP for Nepean
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“Every person, regardless of their circumstances, deserves a roof over their heads and a safe place to call home,” said Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa. “That’s why this announcement is very important for the City of Ottawa. It comes at a critical time and it demonstrates that the City and the Province of Ontario can work together towards our common goal of ending chronic homelessness by building more affordable housing and supportive housing. This announcement is an important step in our ongoing discussion about fair and appropriate funding for housing and homelessness prevention and it helps Ottawa build more affordable and supportive units in the next year. I want to personally thank Premier Doug Ford and Minister Steve Clark for this welcome announcement. This comes after a lot of very healthy and productive dialogue and collaboration.”
– Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of the City of Ottawa
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“Ottawa Community Housing is grateful for this funding from the Province of Ontario that will help build more
affordable housing in our city. The provincial government is a key partner, and their support will help us see the completion of our 271-unit project at 715 Mikinak Road. Through building more affordable housing, preserving existing social housing and supporting tenants, we remain committed to working together with all orders of government and our sector partners to address homelessness and tackle the housing supply crisis.”– Stéphane Giguère, CEO of Ottawa Community Housing Corporation
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