Ontario Construction News staff writer
Two city committees have approved a comprehensive strategy aimed at accelerating housing construction in Ottawa.
In a joint meeting Oct. 1, the finance and corporate services committee and the Planning and Housing Committee endorsed a housing acceleration plan designed to remove barriers and use “every available tool” to get more homes built faster.
The plan follows recommendations from the Housing Innovation Task Force and earlier decisions to implement faster planning reviews and updated zoning rules to allow smart intensification near transit.
“The goal is to fundamentally change how the city approaches housing, focusing on areas where we have the most control,” the plan states.
Five key objectives were highlighted:
- Simplifying rules and approvals: Streamlining city processes to reduce delays.
- Creating a housing-friendly culture at City Hall: Reviewing all planning rules through a “housing lens.”
- Increasing flexibility with fees and charges: Temporarily lowering some costs for builders to encourage new projects.
- Supporting affordable housing: Preparing city-owned land for affordable projects and creating a 10-year roadmap.
- Building near transit: Encouraging new housing near public transit with options for various budgets and family sizes.
If approved by council Oct. 8, 40 per cent of the plan’s actions would be implemented immediately, reducing community benefit charges for five years, deferring development charges until occupancy, reimbursing additional fees for non-profit housing, and expediting permits with pre-set building designs.
The planning and housing committee also approved zoning amendments for two multi-tower developments near transit stations.
At Cyrville Station, two 30-storey mixed-use towers are planned with more than 840 apartment units, ground-floor commercial space, and a public walkway connecting to Ken Steele Park.
Near Lincoln Fields Station, the committee approved a 28-storey and a 30-storey development with about 590 apartments and ground-floor commercial space. The amendment increases permitted height, requires at least 10 per cent of units to have two or more bedrooms, and doubles required bike parking.
From the first quarter of 2023 to the fourth quarter of 2024, approvals were granted for more than 52,000 new homes. The latest zoning amendments could add another 1,432 dwellings, and an estimated 11,500 units have been enabled so far in 2025.
