Advertisement

City of Ottawa applies for federal support in fight for more housing

New homes are built in a housing construction development in the west-end of Ottawa on Thursday, May 6, 2021. The City of Ottawa is putting forward an application to receive federal funding towards its rising demand for increased housing and affordability, according to a memo sent from City staff to council on May 24. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

The City of Ottawa is applying for federal funding in a bid to respond to rising demand for affordable housing.

A memo city staff sent to councillors last week shows the municipality is looking to qualify for support from a $4-billion fund.

Cities across the country can qualify for money from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s housing accelerator fund based on their building permits between September 2023 and September 2026.

Between $20,000 and $54,000 will be allocated for the construction of each newly approved unit, an amount that varies based on affordability, proximity to public transportation and building functionality.

City spokesman Sebastien Tremblay says the application is still being developed, but the city expects to reach a funding agreement in July that would see an initial 25 per cent instalment paid in September, pending approval by council.

Story continues below advertisement

Funding from the program, which was first announced in April 2022, is expected to be doled out in four equal annual instalments and spent over a four-year period.

Click to play video: '‘Cut red tape’: B.C. working to build more homes, faster in selected communities'
‘Cut red tape’: B.C. working to build more homes, faster in selected communities

Sponsored content

AdChoices