Housing in Ottawa is some of the highest in Canada, and the way that city council has dealt with housing affordability is shameful. The new affordable units being built on Walkley Road still have not broken ground 11 years after being introduced to the housing committee by Diane Dean. A 10 year wait without any progress is unacceptable not only to the residents of Ward 10, but also to the residents of the city as a whole. 

 

Earlier this year, the housing committee decided to remove Ottawa mixed unit housing minimum for affordable units in new developments. The reason being that it’s not as attractive to developers to build with the previous 10% mixed unit minimum. Ward 10 has some of the greatest socio economic divides among all the wards in Ottawa, and it’s shameful that the housing committee is choosing to put developer profits over the housing security of those who need it most. Whenever a high priced condo or rental unit is built, the city has no trouble getting those built, but when residents need better access to affordable units, or renovations and fixes in Ottawa community housing, nothing gets done.

 

If elected to city council, these are my housing priorities:

 

• The city has promised to build 3000 new homes, Ward 10 has the development capacity to build these new communities. I would fight to get the zoning approved to develop and build new communities, and in existing communities on vacant city lots.

• Pressure the city to create a mandate and timeline for itself to commit to building affordable housing, with better funding; from committee approval & zoning, start of construction, and maintenance for community housing.

• Zone and build more traditional homes as part of the city's new 3000 home mandate. Those who can afford larger and traditional homes should be able to buy them, and building more traditional homes will also help to drive down demand and home costs.

• Get more high density housing approved, and along with that, fight to reintroduce the city’s mixed unit minimum.

• Look at the prospect of large scale modular housing both in the style of freehold homes, as well as larger higher density models. Modular homes are faster to make, build, and assemble than traditional homes. The cost is much lower as well, only $180,000-$380,000 for fully installed homes. Much less compared to the average home price in Ottawa of over $760,000. This means an easier path to home ownership for first time home buyers, and thousands of dollars back in people’ pockets each year instead of going into mortgage payments.