Ottawa aims to lead Canada in supportive housing

Ottawa has doubled funding and voted to double the build rate of supportive housing to address a wait list of about 450 people for 350 units; a new advisory body of health and housing partners was launched to better coordinate services.

The City of Ottawa is expanding supportive housing efforts and working with health and housing partners to address chronic homelessness. City council voted unanimously to double the rate of supportive housing construction and doubled related funding to shorten a wait list. Officials noted the city currently has about 350 supportive units and roughly 450 people on a wait list. A strategic advisory body of housing providers, health-care groups and community partners was launched at a recent symposium to align services. Key facts: - City council approved measures to double the build rate of supportive housing and increased funding to aim to house those on the wait list within five years, according to city statements. - The city currently reports about 350 supportive housing units and about 450 people waiting for units. - A new strategic advisory body of housing and health organizations was formed to coordinate wraparound supports and build more supportive housing models. - A three-building, 160-unit project near Byng Drive focused on people with substance-use disorder is proceeding with partners, and the project will continue under a different name than originally planned. Summary: The city presents these steps as intended to help people with chronic homelessness find and remain in housing while reducing pressure on emergency and hospital services. The advisory body and increased funding are immediate actions; further planning and construction timelines for new projects were described by officials but not fully detailed in the report.