In Ottawa, we are currently losing 31 affordable apartments for every one that we build.
That is from a recent study from Steve Pomeroy at Carleton University, and it reflects what we are seeing in Centretown every day. Unfortunately, redevelopment often causes displacement – increasing Ottawa’s housing stock while also demolishing low-rent, family sized apartments.
This fact was top of mind for me this week when the zoning bylaw amendment for a building at Bank and Nepean came to Planning and Housing Committee. On the surface, it seemed like a straightforward re-zoning application, replacing an aging low-rise building with a taller tower, while also salvaging features of the existing building’s façade. But what re-zoning applications don’t tell you about is the tenants who could lose their homes when an older building is demolished.
In this case, low-income artists will lose affordable apartments and studio space. And the developer (Smart Living) plans to replace those homes with fully furnished suites, designed to appeal to temporary visitors. The people living in this building organized as the Bank Block Tenants, taking their case to the Landlord Tenant Board and are refusing to leave without a court order. They came to Planning and Housing Committee on Wednesday, demanding that the re-zoning application be rejected and that they be allowed to stay in their homes.
The delegations from the Bank Block Tenants were incredibly moving and it soon became clear that the committee was unimpressed with Smart Living’s refusal to do the right thing. Even though there are precedents in our city of tenants being offered the right to return in new developments at similar rents to what they were paying before, the developer refused to consider this. Their stated excuse was that it would impact the “financial viability” of the project. The committee wasn’t buying it. The new development will have more than 200 apartments. Accommodating 10 existing tenants at reduced rents will not make or break their financial bottom line.
The committee opted to refer the matter to our next city council meeting on December 11. I made it clear to Smart Living that they will avoid further reputational damage if they make a better offer to existing tenants, including the right to return at their current rent rates. Over the next week, we’ll be fighting for better options for the tenants – so stay tuned for more.
No matter what ends up happening with this zoning application, it is incredibly frustrating to not have good tools to protect tenants from unfair evictions. This is why I put forward a motion last spring, asking city staff to investigate the possibility of enacting an anti-renoviction bylaw in Ottawa. While this tool would not be helpful to people facing a demolition like the Bank Block tenants, it could help prevent unjust evictions due to renovations.
We expect the next stage of this bylaw development process to come to committee and council in January. I will reach out in the new year and let you know how you can get involved in fighting for these much-needed tenant protections.
Warmly,
Ariel
PS – The final vote for the 2025 city budget goes to council on Wednesday, December 11. My next newsletter will contain updates for you on the new investments coming to Somerset Ward and where we landed on transit fares. I expect it to be a long and difficult conversation. Thanks to all of you who have come to present at committee meetings and share your vision of how we can build a better city together.
Ariel with Sahada Alolo and Suzanne Le from the Multifaith Housing Initiative, at their National Housing Day event on Parliament Hill
Community win: New outreach support coming to Centretown
When the "new deal" between the province and the City of Ottawa was first announced in March, my office quickly mobilized. We brought community associations, BIAs and our community health centres together to brainstorm solutions that we wanted to see to address the homelessness and addiction crisis that is negatively impacting downtown revitalization.
The result is a $1.05 million new investment in outreach and peer support services that will be run through the Somerset West Community Health Centre. This will put outreach workers on the street to help people who are struggling and tackle the issue of public drug use and social disorder.
Today, I am celebrating the huge victory that comes with community engagement and advocacy. I fought hard to ensure that any plan for downtown revitalization included funding for desperately-needed social supports. This is the result. I am happy to let residents of Centretown know that help is on the way.
Update on 1010 Somerset Community Hub
The final concept plan for 1010 Somerset was passed by the city’s Finance and Corporate Services Committee this week. This means that once passed by council, the city will have officially partitioned the land required for the CEPEO to plan the new building for the Louise Arbour French elementary school. The committee also approved the funding required to begin the detailed design process for the new park facilities and recreation centre.
I was able to have a motion passed that requires the city to maximize as much greenspace as possible in the development and work toward retaining mature trees. I also put forward a direction to staff, ensuring that the Plant Pool Recreation Association will be involved in any future negotiations about the future shared use of Plouffe Park with the new school. I look forward to working with our community on the detailed design for the park and new recreation centre. My office will reach out when we have more information about how you can get engaged in this process.
Op/ed: Solving Ottawa's homelessness crisis requires provincial and federal help
In my latest article for the Ottawa Citizen, I tackle the issue of “compassion fatigue,” the growing problems of homelessness and addiction, and how our city needs significant federal and provincial help to end these crises for good.
Somerset Ward Holiday Party
Join Councillor Troster and the Ward 14 staff at Spark Beer and Pizza on Wednesday, December 18th from 6:00pm - 8:00pm for our annual holiday party!
RSVP online here.
Mayor’s 22nd Annual Christmas Celebration
Date: Saturday, December 7
Time: 3 to 6 pm
Location: Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West
Admission: Donation to the Ottawa Food Bank
Celebrate the festive season in the fresh outdoors and visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus who will arrive from the North Pole and be housed in their very own outdoor cabin. Roast marshmallows around a campfire, enjoy hot chocolate, taffy on snow, horse-drawn wagon rides.
Bring your skates! The Rink of Dreams opens (weather permitting) for the skating season on Saturday, December 7.
Don’t miss the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Marion Dewar Plaza at 5 pm.
You can indulge in delicious BeaverTails for only $2, with all proceeds raised going directly to the Ottawa Food Bank! Purchase your Christmas tree, wreath or potted tree at the event, with $5 from the sale of each item donated to the Ottawa Food Bank.
The fun continues inside with live entertainment in Jean Pigott Place.
Full details can be found on the event webpage.
When citizens organize, we all win. That’s the message I am holding close to my heart during a dark time for so many of us.
In an ideal world, we would not need charities. If people had a basic minimum income and affordable housing, then the Ottawa Food Bank would not be reporting a 90% increase in usage since 2019.
Budget season is in full swing at City Hall and will be the focus of our work in the Ward 14 office until the final vote on December 11.