Sale of prime LeBreton parcel hinges on affordable housing

The City of Ottawa is hopingto dispose of a prime parcel of land it owns onLeBreton Flats, but only if it can getat least 100 affordable housing units out of the deal.

The National Capital Commission (NCC) was already preparing to sellits own, largerparcel between Pimisistation and the future central library, but is holding off until the market stabilizes, according to Katie Paris, who'smanaging the NCC's phased redevelopment ofLeBreton Flats.

We have to be very careful that we don't push lower-income individuals and families out of areas where we have rapid transit, so this is an incredibly important piece of real estate.- Coun. Catherine McKenney

Now the city is in talks to combine its own property at 615 Albert St.withthe NCC's, putting them both out to tender for development at the same time.

There's a catch, however: the successful bidder must promise to sell at least 100 affordable units to Ottawa Community Housingwithin seven years.

"Affordable housing available to the masses in your city core becomes impossible in time as land values increase and you have lessland available," said Cliff Youdale, chief development officerof Ottawa Community Housing.

"I'm sure if Vancouver and Toronto could wind back the clock they'd love to do things a whole lot differently."

A real city-building opportunity for affordable housing at LeBreton, development officer says

4 years ago

Duration 0:41

Cliff Youdale, chief development officer of Ottawa Community Housing, says the city has a unique opportunity to ensure affordable housing is built into a downtown community at LeBreton Flats.

Councillor, coalition want more

Catherine McKenney, the councillor for the area and the city's housing liaison, said it's going to get increasingly difficult to find affordable units that are so centrally located.

"We have to be very careful that we don't push lower-income individuals and families out of areas where we have rapid transit, so this is an incredibly important piece of real estate," McKenney said.

LeBreton Flats was a working-class neighbourhood before it was expropriated and razed decades ago, and McKenney said it's important to remember those roots.

The LeBreton Flats Community Benefits Coalitionis hoping this first affordable housing project is just a first step.

The group has been pushing the NCC to go further byadheringto a social contractthat would require developers to hire and train local employees, and ensure community benefits such as child care and other services.

"Don't get me wrong, 100 units of affordable housing is fantastic. But LeBreton Flats can be so much more," said George Brown, a member of the coalition.

$15M for projects in 2020

The city has set aside$15 million in this year's budget for affordable housing projects.

• City budget shovels millions toward transit, housing

Of that, $10 million will go to Ottawa Community Housing for twoprojects, oneto begin construction in 2021 beside the future Gladstone Station, the other just a few blocks away at Booth and Gladstone.

The city hasput aside $3 million forthe possible purchase ofa hotel to convert to housing.

The final $2 million is to getland ready to be declared surplus and sold for housing. That includes the parcel at LeBreton, but also a former public works yard at1770 Heatherington Rd. Staff want a non-profit group to build a community hub and affordable housing there, and expect to have a plan by the fall.