Odayanhaway FirstU Campus Redevelopment Project
For background information regarding this project, click here to read the FirstU presentation to the City of Ottawa's Planning Committee on August 28, 2024.
Updated Site Plan – May 1, 2025
The FirstU Odayanhaway Project Team is pleased to share an updated site plan with congregants and others on the campus. We look forward to receiving comments that can be incorporated into further revisions.
This updated site plan shows the location of the two buildings that are at the centre of the project:
This plan reflects input from the charette planning session held last November with representatives of all occupants on the campus. It also responds to questions, suggestions and requirements from city staff and other agencies like Ottawa Hydro.
Bill Van Iterson, a member of the Project Team, has prepared a list of changes that appear in this updated plan compared to the one last distributed in October. CLICK HERE FOR SITE PLAN CHANGES
The team organized a number of sessions for discussion with congregants and others on the campus:
The FirstU Odayanhaway Project Team is pleased to share an updated site plan with congregants and others on the campus. We look forward to receiving comments that can be incorporated into further revisions.
This updated site plan shows the location of the two buildings that are at the centre of the project:
- the 6-storey building that will be constructed and operated by Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS) and is located in the northern part of the FirstU large parking lot; and,
- the 16-storey building that will be constructed and operated by Aspire Riverview Homes - the corporation that has been created by FirstU and Theia Partners and is located in the FirstU large parking lot between RPCC and the southern gardens.
This plan reflects input from the charette planning session held last November with representatives of all occupants on the campus. It also responds to questions, suggestions and requirements from city staff and other agencies like Ottawa Hydro.
Bill Van Iterson, a member of the Project Team, has prepared a list of changes that appear in this updated plan compared to the one last distributed in October. CLICK HERE FOR SITE PLAN CHANGES
The team organized a number of sessions for discussion with congregants and others on the campus:
- First Town Hall via Zoom to introduce the plans. Click here to watch a recording of the May 6 meeting.
- Second Town Hall via Zoom for final feedback on the plans. Click here to watch a recording of the May 12 meeting.
|
Odayanhaway (Little Village), a new sustainable transit-oriented infill development at 30 Cleary Avenue, has received the green light from Ottawa City Council to proceed. This ambitious project, a unique partnership between Theia Partners, the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa (FirstU) and Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS), will transform an underutilized parking lot adjacent to transit and the Ottawa River into a thriving inclusive community for 200 individuals and families.
Click HERE to read the full, October 24, 2024 release. |
|
Ottawa City Council Approves Odayanhaway
FirstU is pleased to report that on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, Ottawa City Council accepted the recommendation from the City’s Planning Committee and approved the rezoning application for FirstU’s affordable housing project “Odayanhaway”. The announcement following the Planning Committee’s meeting the week before stated the following:
The City of Ottawa Planning and Housing Committee today approved Official Plan and zoning amendments to facilitate one six-storey and one 16-storey residential building on Cleary Avenue, within the Unitarian campus north of Richmond Road. The six-storey building would have 66 affordable units, run in partnership with Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services. The 16-storey tower would have a four-storey base and 148 dwellings.
The building heights for this development are consistent with the secondary plan in effect for the property, provided there is a 30-metre transition zone from the abutting residential properties. The term “transition zone” is not defined in the Official Plan, however, and the amendment would establish a defined setback from the shared property line. The site currently houses institutional uses including a church, retirement residence and daycare, and the zoning amendment is primarily needed to permit residential uses including a mid-rise apartment and a high-rise apartment.
The building heights for this development are consistent with the secondary plan in effect for the property, provided there is a 30-metre transition zone from the abutting residential properties. The term “transition zone” is not defined in the Official Plan, however, and the amendment would establish a defined setback from the shared property line. The site currently houses institutional uses including a church, retirement residence and daycare, and the zoning amendment is primarily needed to permit residential uses including a mid-rise apartment and a high-rise apartment.
Council’s decision is another critical step in the process, started in 2018, to create affordable housing on our campus. It follows a 3-hour discussion of the project at the Planning and Housing Committee, which included several delegations presenting their pros, cons and concerns for the project. With this approval by City Council, the project will now enter the detailed planning and financing stage. It is anticipated that this process could take up to a year and would culminate with a start to construction around this time in 2025.
While unanimously approved by Council and the Committee, FirstU is committed to working with our campus partners on addressing their concerns, including the health and safety of campus residents, employees and visitors during and after construction. FirstU and its development partner, Theia Partners, will also make efforts to determine if a second temporary entrance to the campus can be maintained during construction.
Our partnership with Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services continues to be an important part of this project, and Cathy Connor from OAHS provided a well-received presentation to the Planning Committee. Several city councillors, including our Bay Ward Councillor Theresa Kavanagh, complimented FirstU on the project as an excellent example of how faith communities can use their land assets to address affordable housing and reconciliation.
The approval of this project represents a significant step for FirstU.
FirstU can be proud of reaching this milestone on the path to living into its values, vision and mission.
While unanimously approved by Council and the Committee, FirstU is committed to working with our campus partners on addressing their concerns, including the health and safety of campus residents, employees and visitors during and after construction. FirstU and its development partner, Theia Partners, will also make efforts to determine if a second temporary entrance to the campus can be maintained during construction.
Our partnership with Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services continues to be an important part of this project, and Cathy Connor from OAHS provided a well-received presentation to the Planning Committee. Several city councillors, including our Bay Ward Councillor Theresa Kavanagh, complimented FirstU on the project as an excellent example of how faith communities can use their land assets to address affordable housing and reconciliation.
The approval of this project represents a significant step for FirstU.
FirstU can be proud of reaching this milestone on the path to living into its values, vision and mission.
Update on the Odayanhaway Campus Housing Project – July 2024
This is an update on the campus redevelopment project. It is being provided by the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa Project Negotiating Team to members of the congregation and to other interested parties, including, among others, residents of Unitarian House and the River Parkway Children’s Centre.
Application to the City of Ottawa for Re-Zoning
Applications for re-zoning of the land where the new buildings are to be located were submitted to the City in October of 2023. Progress on consideration of the applications has been slow, mainly because of new planning processes and a severe shortage of staff in the City’s Planning Department. However, city staff recently declared our application for necessary zoning changes complete and ready to go to the Planning Committee at their meeting on August 28. In the meantime, the application is open for public comment through the city’s DevApps website. Select the Zoning amendment (the Official Plan amendment is nearly identical), where you can download and review all the files as well as send your feedback. We hope you will send your comments to the City in support of our project. The deadline for comments is July 25.
The city’s Planning Committee can decide to approve, deny, or defer the project. If, as we hope, and expect, the committee decides to approve the project, it will go to the full City Council for consideration. This usually happens fairly quickly. If council gives its approval, this will mark the beginning of other significant pieces of work, one of which will be to create the detailed site plan (building materials, pipelines, landscaping, etc.) that will guide construction. At this point planning for the redesign of various common areas on the campus will be brought forward again. The site plan development process usually takes many months and will provide the opportunity for lots of discussion with and input from members of the congregation, River Parkway Children’s Centre, and residents of Unitarian House.
Legal Agreements
The congregation’s negotiating team has been working with the congregation’s lawyers to craft and negotiate the legal documents necessary for our planned development of the two buildings.
One set of documents will transfer land to Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS) so they can construct the 6-story affordable housing building which they will own and manage. The other set of documents creates, in partnership with Theia Partners, a new corporation that will own the land for the 16-story building and manage the construction and ongoing operation of that building. The First Unitarian Ottawa Congregation will have majority ownership of this corporation.
This work is now moving along well, and it is expected that these agreements will be able to be signed by the end of the summer.
Housing Affordability Circle
We are also launching a group called the Housing Affordability Circle, which will investigate and develop processes for us to offer affordable housing for the 16-story building – including at a deeply affordable level – and explore ways to fund this. If you are interested in contributing to those efforts, please contact Lisa Sharp.
Construction
After the City has approved the rezoning, work will begin to prepare and obtain City approval for our detailed site plan, secure financing, and obtain a building permit. Similar work will be undertaken by OAHS regarding the construction of their building. Their efforts and those of the new First Unitarian/Theia corporation will be coordinated.
Financing for the 16-story building will be secured from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Recent easing of interest rates points to a likely advantageous interest rate, which will be important as that will help us hold down rents once the building opens.
At this point, it is estimated that construction will begin around September 2025. Detailed construction plans – including consideration of how the work will impact people, parking, and gardens – will be developed in consultation with First Unitarian Ottawa Congregation, Unitarian House, and River Parkway Children’s Centre, and circulated to those parties once they are drafted.
On-going Discussion
As we move along with this project, the First Unitarian Board will hold regular update sessions with everyone on the campus and interested neighbours regarding progress and opportunities for input.
In the meantime, if you have comments you would like to pass along, please feel free to send them to the Board President of First U Ottawa.
Application to the City of Ottawa for Re-Zoning
Applications for re-zoning of the land where the new buildings are to be located were submitted to the City in October of 2023. Progress on consideration of the applications has been slow, mainly because of new planning processes and a severe shortage of staff in the City’s Planning Department. However, city staff recently declared our application for necessary zoning changes complete and ready to go to the Planning Committee at their meeting on August 28. In the meantime, the application is open for public comment through the city’s DevApps website. Select the Zoning amendment (the Official Plan amendment is nearly identical), where you can download and review all the files as well as send your feedback. We hope you will send your comments to the City in support of our project. The deadline for comments is July 25.
The city’s Planning Committee can decide to approve, deny, or defer the project. If, as we hope, and expect, the committee decides to approve the project, it will go to the full City Council for consideration. This usually happens fairly quickly. If council gives its approval, this will mark the beginning of other significant pieces of work, one of which will be to create the detailed site plan (building materials, pipelines, landscaping, etc.) that will guide construction. At this point planning for the redesign of various common areas on the campus will be brought forward again. The site plan development process usually takes many months and will provide the opportunity for lots of discussion with and input from members of the congregation, River Parkway Children’s Centre, and residents of Unitarian House.
Legal Agreements
The congregation’s negotiating team has been working with the congregation’s lawyers to craft and negotiate the legal documents necessary for our planned development of the two buildings.
One set of documents will transfer land to Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS) so they can construct the 6-story affordable housing building which they will own and manage. The other set of documents creates, in partnership with Theia Partners, a new corporation that will own the land for the 16-story building and manage the construction and ongoing operation of that building. The First Unitarian Ottawa Congregation will have majority ownership of this corporation.
This work is now moving along well, and it is expected that these agreements will be able to be signed by the end of the summer.
Housing Affordability Circle
We are also launching a group called the Housing Affordability Circle, which will investigate and develop processes for us to offer affordable housing for the 16-story building – including at a deeply affordable level – and explore ways to fund this. If you are interested in contributing to those efforts, please contact Lisa Sharp.
Construction
After the City has approved the rezoning, work will begin to prepare and obtain City approval for our detailed site plan, secure financing, and obtain a building permit. Similar work will be undertaken by OAHS regarding the construction of their building. Their efforts and those of the new First Unitarian/Theia corporation will be coordinated.
Financing for the 16-story building will be secured from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Recent easing of interest rates points to a likely advantageous interest rate, which will be important as that will help us hold down rents once the building opens.
At this point, it is estimated that construction will begin around September 2025. Detailed construction plans – including consideration of how the work will impact people, parking, and gardens – will be developed in consultation with First Unitarian Ottawa Congregation, Unitarian House, and River Parkway Children’s Centre, and circulated to those parties once they are drafted.
On-going Discussion
As we move along with this project, the First Unitarian Board will hold regular update sessions with everyone on the campus and interested neighbours regarding progress and opportunities for input.
In the meantime, if you have comments you would like to pass along, please feel free to send them to the Board President of First U Ottawa.
From the Campus Planning Town Hall - October 22, 2023
Use the green buttons, below, to download the two slideshow presentations from our October 22 Campus Planning Town Hall. If you have specific questions or concerns, you can email them to [email protected].
Use the green buttons, below, to download the two slideshow presentations from our October 22 Campus Planning Town Hall. If you have specific questions or concerns, you can email them to [email protected].
firstU and Odayanhaway in the News!
|
All In A Day
Representatives from FirstU and OAHS were interviewed on CBC's All In A Day, on June 9! Click HERE to listen to the interview! 
|
CBC Online
News of our "Little Village" was also picked up by CBC Online, on June 12! Click HERE to read the CBC Article 
|
Other Press
CUC eNews Article on FirstU's historic vote Cahdco Statement from Taarshi Raghaven OAHS Statement by Sarah McBain 
|
First Unitarian ottawa and partners unveil plans for 'Odayanhaway': A little village of sustainable and affordable housing
~Sarah McBain
|
The First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa (FirstU) and its partners Cahdco, Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS), and Theia Partners are thrilled to announce their upcoming housing development project located on Cleary Avenue, unofficially titled “Odayanhaway”, a word in Ojibwe meaning “Little Village”.
The master plan of the project involves two new buildings and programs to help provide much-needed affordable housing to the Ottawa community with themes of reconciliation, prosperity, and sustainability. The first building will be approximately 50 units of affordable housing and will be owned and operated by OAHS. The second building, a planned 16-storey mixed market/affordable rental building, will be jointly owned by FirstU and Theia Partners, a real estate development company rooted in strong values of inclusion, affordability, and sustainability. Overall, the project will provide over 200 families with a beautiful place to call home. |
Project partners standing on the proposed grounds for new affordable housing on the campus of First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa. From left to right: Rev Eric Meter (Minister, FirstU), Rodney Wilts (Theia Partners), Brent Nicolle (Board president, FirstU), Cathy Connor (Director of Housing Development, OAHS), Justin Marchand (CEO, OAHS)
|
Both new buildings will be close to existing greenspace along the Ottawa River, as well as a new light-rail transit (LRT) station currently under construction. The project’s transformation of underutilized parking spaces, the site’s convenient access to new public transit, integration with existing gardens, and expected energy-efficiency design choices help to fulfill the project’s environmental sustainability goal.
Much momentum from the project was kick-started in 2021 with FirstU’s Campus Planning Committee meeting with Cahdco to discuss how to build more affordable housing on their six-acre property. The desire for this project came from FirstU seeing the opportunity to transform their campus on Cleary and achieve their goals of meeting community needs and preserving the green space and environment.
Early on, Graeme Hussey, President of Cahdco, provided explanatory workshops on affordable housing and introduced FirstU’s Board of Directors to Theia Partners and OAHS.
“Cahdco listened to FirstU to understand their values & priorities, which included creating affordable housing, reconciliation and addressing climate change,” Hussey recalls. “OAHS & Theia are the ideal partners to help realize this vision.”
With OAHS’s roots in the Ottawa Indigenous community and significant asset base throughout Ontario, FirstU felt confident in the partnership to not only provide affordable housing solutions to the development project, but through the two organizations' parallel values.
“Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services is proud to partner with FirstU, Cahdco, and Theia Partners on this significant housing development in Ottawa,” says Cora McGuire-Cyrette, Board Chair of OAHS. “We are pleased with their willingness to collaborate with Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services on housing that is designed, developed, and delivered by and for Indigenous people. This partnership showcases how organizations can come together to make a real difference in the lives of Indigenous people in urgent need of housing. We hope that this project will serve as a model for future partnerships and collaborations, and we are excited to see the positive impact it will have on the community."
Much momentum from the project was kick-started in 2021 with FirstU’s Campus Planning Committee meeting with Cahdco to discuss how to build more affordable housing on their six-acre property. The desire for this project came from FirstU seeing the opportunity to transform their campus on Cleary and achieve their goals of meeting community needs and preserving the green space and environment.
Early on, Graeme Hussey, President of Cahdco, provided explanatory workshops on affordable housing and introduced FirstU’s Board of Directors to Theia Partners and OAHS.
“Cahdco listened to FirstU to understand their values & priorities, which included creating affordable housing, reconciliation and addressing climate change,” Hussey recalls. “OAHS & Theia are the ideal partners to help realize this vision.”
With OAHS’s roots in the Ottawa Indigenous community and significant asset base throughout Ontario, FirstU felt confident in the partnership to not only provide affordable housing solutions to the development project, but through the two organizations' parallel values.
“Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services is proud to partner with FirstU, Cahdco, and Theia Partners on this significant housing development in Ottawa,” says Cora McGuire-Cyrette, Board Chair of OAHS. “We are pleased with their willingness to collaborate with Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services on housing that is designed, developed, and delivered by and for Indigenous people. This partnership showcases how organizations can come together to make a real difference in the lives of Indigenous people in urgent need of housing. We hope that this project will serve as a model for future partnerships and collaborations, and we are excited to see the positive impact it will have on the community."
|
Rodney Wilts, Partner of Theia Partners, is just as enthusiastic. “We are ecstatic to be working with such incredible partners on an amazing development,” Wilts exclaims. “Affordable housing, reconciliation and climate change are some of the most pressing issues of today and this project makes a tangible response on all three. We think it is a great model for other Churches and non-profits.”
Over the past year, there has been much consultation with the Congregation and its campus partners on how best to transform the campus. The campus partners include a seniors’ residence, a daycare centre, and a Jewish reconstructionist synagogue, all of whom rent space from FirstU. Consultation included a design workshop, and several town hall meetings for the development partners to present options and hear concerns. Relationships strengthened and by March 27, 2023, members of the Congregation voted in favour of proceeding with the housing project of affordable and market-rental housing on its campus. |
“The Congregation’s decision to proceed with the project is a significant milestone for FirstU,” says Brent Nicolle, president of the Board of the Congregation. “It simultaneously advances toward four goals: providing affordable housing, making a tangible step toward Indigenous reconciliation, building an environmentally responsible choice for our planet, and aiming for future financial stability to the Congregation. I am enormously pleased to see FirstU living its values with this project.”
The development partners recognize that there is much consultation with the neighbourhood and the city ahead, and that building a village requires community engagement. Coming together is the key to major developments like this, and the shared values of all project partners including innovation, sustainability, respect, and reconciliation make this collaboration a strong and exciting example of what can be accomplished in a community like Ottawa or anywhere across Canada.
The development partners recognize that there is much consultation with the neighbourhood and the city ahead, and that building a village requires community engagement. Coming together is the key to major developments like this, and the shared values of all project partners including innovation, sustainability, respect, and reconciliation make this collaboration a strong and exciting example of what can be accomplished in a community like Ottawa or anywhere across Canada.
For more information, please contact:
Board President, First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa
O: 613-725-1066
E: [email protected]
About First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa
First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa (FirstU) has occupied its current location at 30 Cleary Avenue
since 1967, where it shares a six-acre campus with a seniors' residence and a daycare. As a Unitarian-Universalist congregation, we strive to find concrete ways to live our Eight Principles, which include recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of everyone, seeking a responsible search for truth and meaning, and respecting the interdependent web of all life. You can find out more at www.firstunitarianottawa.ca.
About Cahdco
Cahdco is a non-profit real estate development corporation and related to Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation (CCOC). Cahdco develops affordable housing in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario area and combines the experience and resources of CCOC with a team of development, construction, and project management experts. In 2023, Cahdco launched the Toolbox+, a national coaching and mentoring program to increase affordable housing development capacity.
About Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services
Founded in 1994, Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services provides safe and affordable housing to urban and rural First Nation, Inuit, and Métis people in Ontario. Our vision is to lead the design, development, and delivery of a sustainable and culturally-appropriate continuum of housing. We are governed by representatives from three Indigenous organizations in Ontario – the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres, Ontario Native Women’s Association, and the Métis Nation of Ontario. Learn more at ontarioaboriginalhousing.ca.
About Theia Partners
Theia Partners is a values-based development company with expertise in socially and environmentally sustainable real estate and renewables-based energy projects. Theia is best known for its groundbreaking work at Zibi, the first endorsed One Planet Community in Canada, a 4 million square foot redevelopment with a mix of affordable and market housing, powered by a zero carbon district energy system.
Board President, First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa
O: 613-725-1066
E: [email protected]
About First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa
First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa (FirstU) has occupied its current location at 30 Cleary Avenue
since 1967, where it shares a six-acre campus with a seniors' residence and a daycare. As a Unitarian-Universalist congregation, we strive to find concrete ways to live our Eight Principles, which include recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of everyone, seeking a responsible search for truth and meaning, and respecting the interdependent web of all life. You can find out more at www.firstunitarianottawa.ca.
About Cahdco
Cahdco is a non-profit real estate development corporation and related to Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation (CCOC). Cahdco develops affordable housing in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario area and combines the experience and resources of CCOC with a team of development, construction, and project management experts. In 2023, Cahdco launched the Toolbox+, a national coaching and mentoring program to increase affordable housing development capacity.
About Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services
Founded in 1994, Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services provides safe and affordable housing to urban and rural First Nation, Inuit, and Métis people in Ontario. Our vision is to lead the design, development, and delivery of a sustainable and culturally-appropriate continuum of housing. We are governed by representatives from three Indigenous organizations in Ontario – the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres, Ontario Native Women’s Association, and the Métis Nation of Ontario. Learn more at ontarioaboriginalhousing.ca.
About Theia Partners
Theia Partners is a values-based development company with expertise in socially and environmentally sustainable real estate and renewables-based energy projects. Theia is best known for its groundbreaking work at Zibi, the first endorsed One Planet Community in Canada, a 4 million square foot redevelopment with a mix of affordable and market housing, powered by a zero carbon district energy system.
Neighbourhood town hallOn Thursday, May 18, the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa (FirstU) welcomed nearby residents to an online Neighbourhood Town Hall, where we at FirstU - joined by representatives from Theia (developer), Figurr (architect), and OAHS (indigenous housing) - presented our Affordable Housing plans, answered questions, and heard concerns from our neighbours.
If you missed the Town Hall, you can watch it here (right) to see what questions came up and how they were answered. |
|
Firstu votes to proceed with affordable housing plan!
|
Dear congregants and friends of FirstU,
At a Special Congregational Meeting on Monday evening, March 27th, 2023, members of FirstU voted in favour of proceeding with developing affordable and market-rental housing on its campus. The results were overwhelmingly supportive: 95% in favour of the overall Master Concept Plan, 93% in favour of Affordable/Market housing, and 97% in favour of Indigenous housing. This decision is transformative. It will eventually see the creation of two new buildings on our campus, and provide over 200 families with integrated rental |
|
accommodation at various levels of affordability, from market rates to deep affordability. Campus residents and visitors will benefit from a new LRT station. New amenities will be added to our campus, and our beloved meditation gardens will remain intact for all to enjoy.
This decision was not easy. For some, the coming transformation is very difficult to imagine, and we listened to each others' concerns respectfully.
This decision is significant. It brings us closer to four goals: providing affordable housing, making a tangible step toward Indigenous reconciliation, creating an environmentally sensitive place to live, and aiming for the future financial stability of the Congregation.
Thank you to everyone who made this achievement possible. I am proud to see us live our values like this.
Brent Nicolle
President, FirstU Board
[email protected]
This decision was not easy. For some, the coming transformation is very difficult to imagine, and we listened to each others' concerns respectfully.
This decision is significant. It brings us closer to four goals: providing affordable housing, making a tangible step toward Indigenous reconciliation, creating an environmentally sensitive place to live, and aiming for the future financial stability of the Congregation.
Thank you to everyone who made this achievement possible. I am proud to see us live our values like this.
Brent Nicolle
President, FirstU Board
[email protected]
why ONTARIO ABORIGINAL HOUSING SERVICES (OAHS)
|
In June the Campus Planning Committee (CPC) initiated an onsite due diligence process with representatives of the Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS) to determine if OAHS met FirstU’s detailed criteria for an affordable housing partner. The criteria were established by the CPC and supported by the FirstU Board.
Based on input from our affordable housing consultants (Cahdco), we had earlier identified OAHS as being a candidate organization that met our initial objectives. Other local potential partners had been considered, but screened out by Cahdco as not being in a position to participate in the FirstU project for a variety of reasons, including other commitments, lack of funding, and not having the necessary experience with buildings of the scale FirstU is contemplating. OAHS was represented by their Executive Director and four senior staff for a series of meetings lasting much of the afternoon and evening. The CPC and various Board members spent 2 hours interviewing OAHS on the specific due diligence questions. |
|
Following that, the OAHS group was introduced to other leaders and staff of FirstU, as well as to our campus partners. This group had an opportunity to hear about OAHS’ experience in affordable housing and their plans for building housing at FirstU, as well as being able to query OAHS in a variety of areas. OAHS then took a tour of River Parkway Childcare Centre and Unitarian House, meeting with staff and others at each location and fielding questions. To complete the day, members of the Board and CPC attended a dinner with the OAHS representatives.
We learned a great deal about OAHS through this multi-stage process. OAHS serves 11,000 people every day (both residents of buildings they manage and non-residents), and are preparing themselves to serve as many as 90,000 more across Ontario, including both indigenous and non-indigenous residents. Their governance model and mission is rooted in community. They provide a broad variety of programs to their residents and others. Their core business is property management, and they have 2600 units currently under their management. They have expanded supportive housing programs, and regularly partner with community organizations. They have 150 colleagues/employees, of which 80% are indigenous. We learned that:
Their indigenous connections to Ottawa are impressive: they have relationships with the Inuit Children’s Centre, Wabinaw, Gignal, the Friendship Centre, Ontario Native Women’s and Minwashan. One of their most successful programs offered to residents is Homeward Bound, which focuses on helping mothers get education, employment and training so they can make a better life for their families.
From a financial perspective, OAHS has a significant asset base and a favourable ability to raise money for construction. They are driven to create as many deeply affordable units as possible (at least 10% of the units are rented at 25% of income). They also offer a support function that provides subsidies.
After the meetings, members of the CPC and the Board were asked to provide their comments about whether or not OAHS met the criteria for an affordable housing partner. The responses were unanimous in favour of entering into a relationship with OAHS. The CPC therefore made its recommendation to the Board to partner with the OAHS as our affordable housing partner. The Board subsequently accepted the recommendation. So, we are moving forward with OAHS as our affordable housing partner and several FirstU members within the Board and CPC intend to travel in the near future to Peterborough to view one of the OAHS facilities.
We learned a great deal about OAHS through this multi-stage process. OAHS serves 11,000 people every day (both residents of buildings they manage and non-residents), and are preparing themselves to serve as many as 90,000 more across Ontario, including both indigenous and non-indigenous residents. Their governance model and mission is rooted in community. They provide a broad variety of programs to their residents and others. Their core business is property management, and they have 2600 units currently under their management. They have expanded supportive housing programs, and regularly partner with community organizations. They have 150 colleagues/employees, of which 80% are indigenous. We learned that:
- OAHS welcomes people of all backgrounds to live in their buildings.
- OAHS would offer a range of affordable housing in a building on our campus from deeply affordable to "rent to income" to just below market rent.
- OAHS owns a fair number of multiple unit dwellings across Ontario and is experienced in property management.
- OAHS has experience in working with local service providers to offer supports to residents in their buildings.
- Several of OAHS' buildings have daycares located in them which is considered a support service to parents attending school or working.
- OAHS controls their own application process. This means that First U members could apply to live in their building, if they qualify as low income households.
- OAHS has connections with Ottawa area Indigenous organizations like Gignul, Odawa Friendship Centre etc.
Their indigenous connections to Ottawa are impressive: they have relationships with the Inuit Children’s Centre, Wabinaw, Gignal, the Friendship Centre, Ontario Native Women’s and Minwashan. One of their most successful programs offered to residents is Homeward Bound, which focuses on helping mothers get education, employment and training so they can make a better life for their families.
From a financial perspective, OAHS has a significant asset base and a favourable ability to raise money for construction. They are driven to create as many deeply affordable units as possible (at least 10% of the units are rented at 25% of income). They also offer a support function that provides subsidies.
After the meetings, members of the CPC and the Board were asked to provide their comments about whether or not OAHS met the criteria for an affordable housing partner. The responses were unanimous in favour of entering into a relationship with OAHS. The CPC therefore made its recommendation to the Board to partner with the OAHS as our affordable housing partner. The Board subsequently accepted the recommendation. So, we are moving forward with OAHS as our affordable housing partner and several FirstU members within the Board and CPC intend to travel in the near future to Peterborough to view one of the OAHS facilities.
Campus Development Meeting - March 27, 2021
On March 27, 2021, the Campus Planning Committee held a zoom meeting forr FirstU about how we and our partners (Unitarian House, River Parkway Children's Centre and Or Haneshamah) might move forward with developing our six acre property while achieving our goals of environmental protection, green space preservation, and providing for local community needs. Below you can watch Part One and Part Two of that meeting.
|
|
|
Affordable Housing Presentations by CAHDCO
Use the buttons, below, to download PDF documents from CAHDCO - a non-profit real estate development corporation, and sister to Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation, that develops affordable housing and social purpose real estate and provides consulting in the Ottawa area - to learn more about developing affordable housing in Ottawa and on the FirstU Campus in particular.
