Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Thursday that eight affordable housing projects creating more than 1,100 rental homes in Ottawa will proceed under the Build Canada Homes program.
The announcement came a day after Ottawa city council approved the municipality’s $250-million portion of the $400-million agreement that was reached with the federal government and first announced in December, with the goal to build up to 3,000 mixed-income and affordable housing units in the capital starting this year.
For its part, the city will exempt projects that fall under the agreement from development charges and community benefits charges, as well as waive collection of cash-in-lieu of parkland charges, building permit fees and planning fees, while also granting a property tax exemption for a period of 75 years for the units designated as a municipal housing facility.
“Canadians gave our government a clear mandate to build a stronger country – one where people are empowered with more opportunities, lower costs, safer communities and homes you can afford,” Carney said in a news release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office. “We’re working in partnership with the City of Ottawa to deliver on that promise – fast-tracking projects that build thousands of new affordable homes.”
Projects under the agreement will prioritize modern methods of construction and follow a “Buy Canadian” approach to strengthen local supply chains, support Canadian materials and speed up delivery. The projects will be led by a range of partners, including non-profit housing providers and community organizations.
“We’re saying yes to housing in Ottawa. By working with our federal partners, and through our Housing Action Plan, we’re building more homes, including affordable homes, and we’re building them faster,” Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said in the release.
To further accelerate the construction of more homes, the federal government is building housing-enabling infrastructure and reducing municipal development charges. Through a new agreement with the province of Ontario, the feds are supporting municipalities in cutting development charges in half for three years.
“In Ottawa, this alone can bring down the cost of building a two-bedroom apartment by more than $15,000,” according to the release.
The local project sites announced Thursday are:
- 200-201 Beausoleil Dr.: 159 units (non-profit), with estimated construction starting in fall 2026.
- Geyser Place (formerly 3380 Jockvale Rd.): 118 units (non-profit), with estimated construction starting in fall 2026.
- 1770 Heatherington Rd. (Phase 1): 90 units (non-profit), with estimated construction starting in spring 2027.
- 58 Capilano Dr.: 20 units (non-profit), with estimated construction starting in summer 2026.
- 240 Presland Rd.: 64 units (non-profit), with estimated construction starting in summer 2026.
- 100 block of Hickory Street: 110 units (non-profit), with estimated construction starting in early 2027.
- 2475 Regina St. (Parkway House): 266 units (private and non-profit), with estimated construction starting in fall 2026.
- 384 Arlington Ave. (Korean Church): 296 units (private and non-profit), with estimated construction starting in fall 2026.
