Ottawa approves spending plan for $176.3 million in federal funding for affordable housing
Councillors on Ottawa's planning committee have approved a plan to spend $176.3 million in federal funding to help build more houses over the next three years.
The allocated money is promised to the city through the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), which is a $4 billion federal fund to build more houses at an accelerated pace.
The city said in a news release on Wednesday 90 per cent of the $176.3 million will be allocated to building affordable housing projects by non-profit housing providers, and the remaining 10 per cent will be spent on other initiatives, such as accelerating disposal and preparation of city-owned lands for housing, streamlining planning approvals, implementing an affordable housing community improvement plan, and preparing a new comprehensive zoning by-law.
“Allocating most of the HAF funding to non-profit housing providers would align with the action plan for these funds that Council approved in July 2023. The action plan includes an affordable housing pipeline initiative that recognizes there are thousands of affordable units planned by non-profit housing providers that are awaiting capital funds to proceed,” reads the release.
The federal government announced Ottawa's share of funding under the HAF in February, committing the city to nine initiatives to deliver up to 4,450 new homes over the next three years. The initiatives include funding the construction of non-market affordable housing, expanding high-density housing around LRT stations and main streets and supportg the conversion of vacant office space into housing.
Staff say the city of Ottawa will receive the $176.3 million in four equal advances of $44 million each, with the first payment made when the city enters into the agreement.
While growth targets require issuing building permits for more than 37,500 new units by the end of 2026, 5.5 per cent of those new units – 2,067 homes -- should fall into the category of affordable houses.
Council will approve the plan on April 3.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Health minister 'deeply appreciative' of doctors but capital gains changes here to stay
Health Minister Mark Holland says while he is 'deeply appreciative' of the work doctors in Canada do, the federal government has no plans to scrap the proposed capital gains tax changes outlined in the latest budget, despite opposition from the Canadian Medical Association.
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
'Of course, yes': Poland latest European country with interest in Canadian LNG
The President of Poland says his country would 'of course' be interested in purchasing Canadian liquefied natural gas if it were available, while the Canadian federal government has said it is 'not interested' in subsidizing future projects.
What Trudeau's podcast appearances say about the Liberals' next ballot box question
Trudeau recently appeared on four podcasts as he travels the country talking up the Liberals' latest budget, which he's pitching as a plan to inject more economic fairness into society for those under 40 — a cohort that has kept Trudeau in power since 2015 but is increasingly turning to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
Passage of harsh anti-2SLGBTQ+ law in Iraq draws diplomatic backlash
Human rights groups and diplomats criticized a law that was quietly passed by the Iraqi parliament over the weekend that would impose heavy prison sentences on gay and transgender people.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
A munitions explosion at a Cambodian army base kills 20 soldiers, but its cause is unclear
Security was tight around a military base in southwestern Cambodia on Sunday, a day after a huge explosion there killed 20 soldiers, wounded others and damaged nearby houses.