Developers Praise Feds Huge Ottawa Cash Infusion
This is a release from the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association:
The Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA) enthusiastically welcomes the federal government’s commitment of $176 million in funding toward new home construction as a significant step in addressing the housing crisis both in Ottawa and across the country.
GOHBA was pleased to see the Honourable Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Member of Parliament for Kanata-Carleton, be joined by area MPs, Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and city councillors to announce the $176 million under the federal Housing Accelerator Fund. This substantial investment exceeds the city’s initial request of $150 million, demonstrating a commendable commitment to housing affordability and supply.
“This funding signals a coordinated effort among different levels of government to tackle our pressing housing issues. Today’s announcement presents a pivotal opportunity to be ambitious in our growth planning and signals a move towards bold, decisive action in addressing the housing shortage both here at home and Canada-wide,” said Jason Burggraaf, GOHBA’s Executive Director.
During the announcement, the Minister and the Mayor referenced the establishment of up to four units as-of-right per lot in Ottawa, which will not only help the city to achieve its own intensification targets with gentle, low-rise density, but it will also allow home builders to take advantage of the HST relief on for-purpose rental construction announced by the federal and provincial governments in the fall.
“The housing plans we make today have long-term implications on housing accessibility and affordability for Ottawa’s residents, now and in the future,” said Burggraaf. “We look forward to working closely with all stakeholders to leverage this funding effectively to create vibrant, inclusive and affordable communities for generations to come.”
For media inquiries, please contact:
Jason Burggraaf
Executive Director
Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association
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I’m curious to see what percentage of this new housing will be really, truly affordable. At the moment, here in Kanata, high-rises (on growth hormones) are shooting up all over the place, and are clearly geared to the affluent demographic (anyone who’s still able to afford them). Except for one small mid-rise on Kanata Ave — you can tell it’s housing geared to income because the whole building is slapped together with chipboard (instead of concrete like the high-end units). One small kitchen fire, and the whole building could go up in flames. Are low-income renters not entitled to decent, safe housing? (Not a rhetorical question.) Perhaps the Bulldog can track the progress of this $176 million federal funding and see how much of it actually results in decent affordable housing. And how much ends up in developers’ pockets.
The ugly details aren’t available for us yet, but four units on a lot doesn’t address maximum heights, setbacks, and parking – possibly forcing on street parking which would be a big win for developers. Jason Burggraaf can’t say enough good about this. What does he know that we won’t until a week before it goes to Planning Committee? The City has a track record here; council passed a motion to effectively change the Official plan for heights on minor corridors without consultation.
More socialist engineering by the feds. Who is paying for this? You and I, same as the lauded “ARRIVECAN” app Looking good to some and more votes “bought” Take the taxes off building materiel and the GST off new home sales would perhaps stimulate the housing industry and buyers both at a cost to you and I?