Federal government identifies properties for affordable housing in Ottawa

The federal government is noting there are over a dozen properties it owns in Ottawa that can be used for housing.

It is a part of a new tool announced by the government Aug. 25, called the Canada Public Land Bank, that helps use land it owns that could help add housing to cities. The new list will grow as more details emerge from the properties.

In Ottawa, the government said there are 22 properties that would help support housing, including two for redevelopment at Canada Lands Company’s Wateridge Village, just east of the Manor Park neighbourhood.

The sites are 1.6 hectares and can accommodate 495 units of housing, with a minimum 30 per cent (148 units) dedicated to affordable housing.

“In Ottawa, we have the land we need to build more homes, and we’re going to put it to use,” Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. “By getting more homes built on federal land, we’re going to give families in our communities a place to call home at prices they can afford.”

The government also noted 56 federal properties, with five new properties for leasing, in other cities. This is equivalent to 2,000 hockey rinks, the government said on it’s website. The areas were selected because they are suitable for housing.

“By building on public lands, we can make it easier to build, and by leasing those same properties, we can make sure the homes built stay affordable for the long term,” Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, said.