City, Developers Join For Housing Initiative

On January 29, 2025, Council approved the establishment of a new housing taskforce to evaluate  ideas to advance housing projects and reduce approval times for development applications.

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This is a release from the City of Ottawa

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The purpose of this memo is to provide an update on the formation of the Housing Innovation Task  Force (the “Task Force”). The Task Force will bring together representatives from the private sector  and experts representing the development industry to build consensus and advise City staff about  new ways and innovative solutions to help build more housing, faster and more affordably.

The objectives of the Task Force are to provide ideas, advice and expertise to staff about new and  innovative ways to:

• Expedite development approvals and streamline regulatory processes.

• Identify and implement financial and policy incentives for housing and affordable housing  development.

• Facilitate the strategic use of publicly owned lands to increase housing supply. • Enhance collaboration with federal and provincial governments to support housing initiatives.

The Task Force will be co-chaired by Brendan McGuinty, chair of the Ottawa Board of Trade, and  Debbie Stewart, General Manager, Strategic Initiatives Department.

The other members of the Task Force are:

• Jen Arbuckle, Building Owners and Managers Association

• Melissa Côté, Taggart Group

• Neil Malhotra, Claridge Homes

• Murray Chown, Novatech Engineering Consultants

• Cliff Youdale, Ottawa Community Housing Corporation

• Mary Jarvis, Canada Lands Corporation

• Kevin Murphy, Mattamy Homes

• Miguel Tremblay, Fotenn Planning

• Barry Hobin, Hobin Architecture Inc.

Members were selected to ensure broad representation of the development industry. Ottawa  Community Housing Corporation’s participation will ensure the City’s interests in building more  affordable housing are represented.

The Task Force will meet regularly over the coming months. An internal working group of expert City  staff will be available to provide information and respond to questions raised by Task Force members and to support Task Force activities.

Staff will report back to a joint meeting of the Planning and Housing Committee and the Finance and  Corporate Services Committee later this year with recommendations and opportunities for early  adoption.

If you have any further questions on the Task Force, please contact me at Debbie.Stewart@ottawa.ca or Will McDonald, Director, Strategic Projects Office, Strategic Initiatives Department at  Will.McDonald@ottawa.ca.

Sincerely,

Debbie Stewart

General Manager, Strategic Initiatives Department

cc. Senior Leadership Team

Strategic Initiatives Departmental Leadership Team

Andrea Lanthier-Seymour, Chief Communications Officer, Public Information and Media  Relations

For You:

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You Caused The Sprung Structure Fiasco: GRAY

Planners Don’t Get 15-Minute Neighbourhood: STANKOVIC

Home Value Is Determined By The Beholder: BENN

Developers, Cyclists Shape City Policy: BENN

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