By Lauren Intven
In January of this year, the City of Ottawa announced that four new housing projects had been approved under the federally funded Rapid Housing Initiative. These projects, with three non-profit partners, will create 109 new affordable- and supportive-housing units. While this is positive news, much more needs to be done to address the over 12,000 households in Ottawa currently on the waiting list for affordable housing. The City’s refreshed 10-Year Housing and Homeless Strategy estimates 300 to 570 new units are required annually. While tackling such needs may seem daunting, other cities nationally and internationally are making progress, and we can look to them for inspiration. Here are some effective strategies:
Intervening early and partnering with the private sector
Kehilla is a non-profit housing agency championing affordable housing initiatives for the Jewish community in Toronto. Their Rental Assistance Program (RAP) supports 290 households who pay no more than 35% of their gross income on rent. The RAP is funded by private donations, a large percentage of which come from real estate developers.
System reform
Medicine Hat Alberta redesigned its system serving the homeless, using a centralized assessment process, triage, case management and a housing-first approach, effectively ending chronic homelessness in 2015. Permanent housing and supports are provided to anyone who spends more than 10 days in a shelter or on the streets.
Supporting people to remain housed
Outcomes from British Colombia’s modular supportive housing (a home with access to on-site supports) have found 94% of residents remain housed and report improvements in access to employment, income, education, addiction mental health and life-skills support. A 2018 study also found that every dollar invested in supportive housing saves four to five dollars through decreased use of government services and increases in neighborhood well-being and local spending.
Using all the tools at the city’s disposal
Vancouver’s empty-homes tax resulted in a 25% reduction in the number of vacant properties between 2017 and 2019, and $61.3 million in revenue for the municipal government to support new affordable housing. The City of Ottawa is currently studying their power to impose such a tax. An inclusionary zoning bylaw, a law for the right of first refusal and a rental-replacement bylaw are other tools to be considered.
Seeing the opportunities
In Lisbon COVID-19 has severely impacted the tourism industry and left more than 20,000 tourist flats largely vacant. The city, seeing an opportunity, has offered owners a flat fee to take over the units and sublet them to locals who qualify for affordable housing for a five-year minimum period.
Do you want to know more? Do you care about your neighbours and yourself having access to affordable and appropriate housing? If you do, join the Lowertown Community Association’s Housing and Homelessness Committee (housedLCA@gmail.com) and join us in pressuring your elected officials for the changes you want to see.
Lauren Intven is co-chair of the Housing and Homelessness Committee of the Lowertown Community Association.