Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Ottawa will receive $18.5 million from the federal government’s Rapid Housing Initiative’s to build a four-storey, 54-unit apartment building in Nepean.
The project, one of 41 grant recipients announced this week, is a supportive housing development for older adults, providing an opportunity to “age in place.”
Ottawa Salus will support residents who have serious mental illness and concurrent challenges including addictions, homelessness, and cycles of hospitalization. Also, the city plans to surpass local environmental and accessibility code requirements on the build.
“Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Through the Rapid Housing Initiative, we are quickly providing new affordable housing units for people who need them most, right across Canada, including right here in Ottawa,” said Sean Fraser, federal minister of housing, infrastructure and communities.
Funding for the third round of RHI isexpected to create at least 4,500 more affordable housing units for Canadians in severe housing need across the country, with 25 per cent of investments going towards women-focused housing projects.
“I’m happy to see that Ottawa Salus has partnered in this initiative. This investment will help create 54 new supportive housing units as we build capacity. It’s encouraging that our community now has more supportive housing units than permanent shelter beds. I want to thank the federal government for its support and the team at Ottawa Salus for their work in carrying out this project,” Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said in a statement.