A new federal-municipal housing partnership is set to deliver up to 3,000 new mixed-income affordable homes in Ottawa, marking a significant step toward addressing the city's housing needs.
Partnership Details
Prime Minister Mark Carney recently announced that Build Canada Homes, a federal agency launched in September 2025 to expand mixed-income housing supply, has approved eight affordable housing projects that will deliver more than 1,100 new rental homes in Ottawa. The broader partnership includes up to $400 million in federal and municipal contributions. Build Canada Homes will contribute surplus federal lands to develop 2,000 homes, featuring a mix of market, affordable, and deeply affordable units. As part of the agreement, the city will receive $150 million to support shovel-ready projects on its Affordable Housing Pipeline.
The city's contribution involves waiving fees and charges to reduce construction costs, along with a tailored approval and permitting process to expedite development. Additionally, property tax exemptions will apply to affordable homes built on surplus federal lands. The city's total contribution is valued between $200 million and $245 million.
Minister's Statement
"This partnership shows how we can move faster when governments work together," said Gregor Robertson, minister of housing and infrastructure and minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada. "By unlocking public land and backing shovel-ready projects, we're helping deliver thousands of homes in Ottawa – with affordability and long-term community needs front and centre."
Key Projects
The eight approved projects are led by a range of partners, including non-profit housing providers and community organizations. Nesting Ground, a Canadian non-profit real estate developer specializing in sustainable, mixed-income affordable housing, is leading the Parkway House and Korean Church projects. Led by Graeme Hussey, a nationally recognized affordable housing expert, Nesting Ground combines non-profit sector relationships with institutional-grade development expertise through its partnership with Windmill Developments.
Parkway House Project
The Parkway House project, located in Lincoln Fields within the Brittania Village neighbourhood, is one of Ottawa's most demographically diverse communities. The three-building condo and rental project will replace and incorporate space for Parkway House, a non-profit care facility for people with disabilities requiring around-the-clock care. The project will be built in two phases. "Doing it in phases allows us to keep the Parkway House organization on site and operational while we build the first phase. Once the first phase is built, they can move into it, and we can demolish their existing one-storey building and build the third building in the second phase," Hussey explained. Residents will benefit from the project's proximity to the future Lincoln Fields LRT Station and nearby trails and cycling paths.
Korean Church Project
The Korean Church rental project will create a resilient, low-impact community, emphasizing sustainability and community integration.
Conclusion
This partnership represents a collaborative effort to accelerate housing development in Ottawa, leveraging federal lands and municipal resources to deliver affordable homes while prioritizing long-term community needs.
