Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Thanks to investments made by the Government of Canada, residents of Ottawa will now have access to more stable rental housing options.

Today, the Honourable Mona Fortier, Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier, on behalf of the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), announced a $161.4 million low-cost loan to help construct a multi-tower development known as Claridge Royale.  

Funding is going towards the two residential towers located at 245 Rideau St. and 265 Rideau St. These two residential towers will provide Ottawa with 489 new units, including 121 units that must be at or below 30% of the median household income, of much needed rental housing within walking distance of amenities like schools, parks, shopping, the Rideau LRT station, and the historic Byward Market.

Both towers are designed to achieve an average of 24.2% decrease in energy intensity and 32.25% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions relative to the requirements of the 2015 National Building Code.

The project received funding through CMHC's Rental Construction Financing initiative (RCFi), a National Housing Strategy program that supports rental housing construction projects to encourage a stable supply of rental housing for middle-class families in expensive housing markets.

Quotes:

"Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. That's why, through this investment in Claridge Royale and others just like it, our government is taking action to not only increase the supply of new rental developments, but to also provide housing options that are closer to jobs, services and amenities that middle-class families in Ottawa need. This is the National Housing Strategy at work." – The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

"Everyone in Ottawa-Vanier, and across Canada, deserves adequate and affordable housing. I am proud that our government's Rental Construction Financing initiative (RCFi) is helping Ottawa to increase its supply of new rental developments for those who need it most. When it is complete, Claridge Royale will offer fresh housing options for families and individuals which are even closer to good jobs, services and amenities in the heart of Ottawa." – The Honourable Mona Fortier, Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Ottawa—Vanier

"Everyone deserves a roof over their head and a safe place to call home. Today's announcement will bring more rental housing in the core of our City. Let's continue to work together, with the federal and provincial governments, and all partners like Claridge, to ensure that everyone in Ottawa has a place that they can call home." – Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa

Quick facts:

• Through the RCFi, the Government of Canada is encouraging the construction of more than 71,000 new rental housing units.
• A stable supply of rental housing is critical to ensure that more Canadians have access to housing that meet their need and that they can afford. This is a great option for middle class Canadians who are experiencing affordability pressure in many markets with high home prices and lack of rental supply.
• Launched in April 2017, the RCFi has generated significant interest in the industry, which has led to an expansion of the program. Through Budget 2019, the Government of Canada increased the total amount available in loans to $13.75 billion.
• Given the high demand for the program, the Government again expanded the RCFi in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement by adding an additional $12 billion over 7 years, starting in 2021-22.  The program now totals $25.75 billion in low-cost loans.
• Budget 2021 proposes that $300 million over two years (2021-22 and 2022-23) from the RCFi be allocated to support the conversion of vacant commercial property into 800 units of market-based rental housing. As the demand for retail and office space has changed due to COVID, some landlords, particularly in major urban cores, are facing higher vacancies. This is an opportunity for property owners and communities to explore converting excess space into rental housing, enhancing the livability and affordability of urban communities.
• Canada's National Housing Strategy (NHS) is a 10-year, $72+ billion plan that will give more Canadians a place to call home.
• To help Canadians find affordable housing, Budget 2021 proposes to provide an additional $2.5 billion over seven years in new funding and a reallocation of $1.3 billion in previously announced funding to speed up the construction, repair, and support over 35,000 additional housing units.

Associated links:

• As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. For more information, please visit cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
• To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.