Mar 6th, 2019

STATEMENT: OCHC Congratulates Council for New Investments in Affordable Housing

Wednesday, March 6, 2019 (OTTAWA, ON) – Following Ottawa City Council’s adoption of the 2019 Budget this afternoon, Ottawa Community Housing Corporation (OCHC) has issued the following statement:

Ottawa Community Housing Corporation wishes to thank Mayor Watson and Council for the leadership they have shown on the issue of affordable housing in their 2019 Budget. The investment of an additional $15 million by the City into housing this year is a step in the right direction in helping Ottawa individual and families in need of an affordable place to call home.

With Mayor Watson’s announcement that the construction of 250 new affordable homes will be approved in 2019, OCHC stands ready to work with the City of Ottawa in the development of more safe, quality, and affordable homes in our city, while also continuing to invest in renewing our existing portfolio.

OCHC continues to show itself as an industry-leading and innovative builder of affordable housing. Nowhere is this more obvious than with the Carlington Community project, where 42 new affordable homes for seniors were recently opened in partnership with the Carlington Community Health Centre. These homes were built to the Passive House and WELL standards, which are the highest possible construction standards for sustainability and wellness. This partnership is truly an example of OCHC’s collaborative approach with its partners within the sector, support agencies, community groups, and the private sector. These are key elements of developing better, more diverse, and affordable communities.

We will continue to be a partner with the City of Ottawa, and all levels of government, as we work with them to help achieve the objectives set out in the City of Ottawa’s 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan, as well as in the National Housing Strategy.

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“I want to thank Mayor Watson and Council for the important investments made in Budget 2019 towards building new affordable homes for our city. OCHC is ready to build and to partner with the City to turn these dollars into homes for those in need, while continuing to invest in renewing our current portfolio.”

Stéphane Giguère, Chief Executive Officer, OCHC

About Ottawa Community Housing Corporation

Ottawa Community Housing (OCHC) provides approximately 15,000 homes to over 32,000 tenants, including seniors, parents, children, couples, singles and persons with special needs, within many communities across the City of Ottawa. OCHC houses a diverse population of varying languages, ethnicity and cultures. OCHC is the largest social and affordable housing provider in Ottawa, managing two-thirds of the City’s social housing portfolio, and is the second largest in Ontario. OCHC was selected as one of the National Capital Region’s Top Employers for the second consecutive year in 2019.

Contact (Media Only)

Nathaniel Mullin

Communications and Media Specialist

343-997-5700

media@och.ca