Lower tax rates on apartment buildings may mean lower rents for tenants
Tenants in older Ottawa apartments may see a slight reduction in their rents after the city moved to adjust tax rates on older residential buildings.
Ottawa homeless shelters, forced to adapt in a long, cold winter, thankful for public compassion
Data from the City of Ottawa shows the average number of individuals staying in temporary shelters has nearly doubled since 2022, reaching more than 3,800 shelter stays across the city in January 2026 alone.
Residents fear mercury contamination as Kanata golf club redevelopment begins
Kanata residents are ringing alarm bells over mercury contamination at the former Kanata Golf and Country Club, an area that will soon be redeveloped for residential housing. “It is documented – there is mercury contamination across this entire site,” said Kanata North Coun. Cathy Curry during a planning committee meeting on March 4. “The city’s response was that ‘no, the...
Confederation Heights master plan impresses River Ward residents
A master plan to turn surplus federal land in south-central Ottawa into a bustling community has been introduced to residents. The plan envisions turning the Confederation Heights area — with Canada Post’s headquarters at its heart — into a campus with high-density housing, parks, retail space, stronger transit infrastructure and an upgraded RA Centre recreation complex. The plan has been...
For Ottawa renters struggling to keep up, could tenant unions be a solution?
Market pressures and a lack of support from the provincial government is pushing more Ottawa renters to explore the idea of tenant unions.
Increased density coming to Ottawa as council passes major zoning changes
Ottawa city council has signed off on a new zoning bylaw, marking the city’s first major overhaul of its planning rules since 2008. The newly approved bylaw is intended to boost housing supply, reduce the city’s dependence on cars, limit urban sprawl and promote intensification.
Bracing for impact: Landlords and tenants wonder whether new Ontario law will improve access to rental housing
Experts not sure that Ontario's new law governing landlord-tenant disputes will solve affordability problems for renters.
University students under ‘stress’ as rent prices increase rapidly
The cost of rent in Canada has risen 5.2 per cent since October 2024, well above the overall inflation rate of 2.2 per cent, Capital Current’s analysis of data Statistics Canada data shows. That is hard to manage for anyone who rents but for university students it can been very difficult. For this cohort, low-cost, short-term rental units are vital....
Housing helper: Jason Burggraaf advocates for Ottawa’s builders
Jason Burggraaf is a voice for homebuilders in Ottawa.
From identity to initiative: Jennifer San works to make Ottawa safer for Indigenous people
Jennifer San, an Indigenous well-being worker, details how her journey inspires her work as coordinator for the Indigenous Women's Safety Table.
Catharine Vandelinde works towards affordable housing solutions in Ottawa
Catharine Vandelinde has been working at Options Housing for eight years, where she uses her experience and expertise to fight homelessness in Ottawa.
Ottawa councillors reject expansion of urban boundary for Barrhaven housing development
Ottawa city councillors have refused to expand the urban boundary in the Cedarview area of Barrhaven to make way for a housing development.
Ottawa councillors decline to block controversial Tewin housing project
The Tewin housing development appears set to proceed after Ottawa councillors voted down a motion to block the controversial project. The suburban development southeast of the city, approved in 2021, is projected eventually to house 35,000 to 45,000 residents. Critics object to the development because of the costs of connecting the community to water, wastewater and transit services and because...
‘Riding a wave of urgency’: Ottawans rally behind the fight to end youth homelessness
Experts say the fight to end homelessness is urgent. The Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa hosted its first annual Race to End Homelessness to raise money and awareness for the cause.
New $25M housing bond campaign in Ottawa turns neighbours into investors
A new bond will allow residents to invest in two local non-profits to preserve affordable housing.
Councillors approve high-rise plan over local fears about light and density
A Cyrville high-rise development is set to proceed despite objections from some residents, who say it will radically alter their neighbourhood.
Report by uOttawa Student Union urges city to address off-campus housing crisis
The University of Ottawa Student Union has released its 2024-2025 Student Housing Report, which highlights the challenges facing students who live in off-campus housing and urges the City of Ottawa to do more to address the crisis. The UOSO gathered survey data from 420 students to learn more about the costs of housing and their living conditions. The results paint...
NCC envisions 9,000 homes as Tunney’s Pasture aims to cut federal office space
On a bright winter day, the wind howls across Tunney’s Pasture, the federal government campus envisioned seven decades ago as a way to move federal government buildings some distance from the downtown of the National Capital. In Tunney’s Pasture, the roads are narrow and the campus buildings are far apart. Government employees huddle for a smoke against buildings, while others...
Artists spotlight housing insecurity in ground-breaking SAW exhibition
Ottawa local gallery, SAW's Give Me Shelter exhibit highlighted the ongoing homeless and housing insecurity issues in the country and internationally. While it was a successful exhibit, participants and officials alike say more needs to be done still.
Ottawa councillors deny developer request to add units to keep agreed amenity space in high rise
Ottawa’s housing committee turned down a developer’s request to add five more units to a pair of student high rises in the ByWard Market, citing concerns about “quality of life” for residents due to reduced amenity spaces.
Ottawa will soon allow shelters anywhere in the city, despite concerns about consultation raised by some councillors
City council is taking the next step in allowing emergency and transitional shelters, despite concerns about a lack of public consultation from some councillors. Council has passed a motion by Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper, which directs city staff to amend a bylaw to allow shelters to be built in any part of Ottawa without a rezoning application. Leiper said he...
Organizers brave Ottawa cold, raising $28,000 for homeless youth in 24-hour challenge
Volunteers stayed outside in downtown Ottawa for 24 hours to raise awareness and money for homeless youth.
Tariffs could worsen Ontario rental market, expert says
Carleton University student Grace Rhodes hasn’t bought new clothes in two years. “I definitely don’t do stuff because I don’t have the money,” said Rhodes, who rents a home with five other students. Rhodes said the “crazy” state of the rental market makes it hard to afford student life and has already quashed her hopes of home ownership. “Absolutely not...
Ottawa councillors push to allow shelters is all areas of the city
Ottawa councillors approved an accelerated plan to allow shelters in all areas of the city, allowing such use months ahead of wider zoning changes.
Ottawa to press ahead with study of anti-renoviction bylaw
Ottawa city council approved a motion to research the implementation of a potential renoviction bylaw on Jan. 22. 2025.
Affordable housing advocates demand action on rising ‘renovictions’ and ‘demovictions’
Housing activists in Ottawa have been deploring the use of bad-faith N13s by landlords who want to force out their renters to increase rent for the next ones and make more profit. They call this phenomenon “renoviction” or “demoviction.”
Weak currency meets rising costs: Nigerian students struggle for affordable housing
As the value of Nigerian Naira continues to tank and housing scarcity increases in Ottawa, Nigerian students struggle to find affordable housing.
Fate of downtown apartment building on hold as Ottawa council considers fate of tenants
Ottawa City Council has delayed a decision on a proposed development at 219-223 Bank St. and 178 Nepean St., requesting that the developer, Smart Living Properties, address concerns about the displacement of tenants. The council called for a “right to return” agreement, ensuring tenants would be allowed to return to the new units at below-market rates. The issue was raised...
‘Maama Watali’ aims to build 14-unit transitional housing for victims of gender violence
Maama Watali: How a mother’s death led to the building of a Non-Profit Organization helping rebuild people’s lives
Federal government’s $3.7 million for homeless veterans in Ottawa a start but more needed, experts say
The federal government has announced $3.7 million in funding over four years to help Canadian veterans dealing with homelessness in Ottawa. Veterans House Canada, an organization supporting homeless veterans, will receive over $2.6 million as part of the initiative.
Tenants at Bank and Lisgar fear for their future as ‘demoviction’ date approaches
Time is running out for the tenants at Bank and Lisgar Sts., who face a February 2025 deadline to leave their homes, which will be demolished and replaced by a midrise apartment building.
Ottawa homeowner dismayed to find high levels of radon, a potentially deadly gas
A 2024 Health Canada statistic showed that radon exposure may result in as many as 3,200 deaths annually, more than car accidents (1,898), carbon monoxide (300) and fire (109) deaths combined.
Climbing rents in Ontario have tenants feeling stuck
With the cost of rent increasing in an already competitive market, tenants face mounting hurdles to secure shelter that fits their needs and budgets. According to Capital Current’s data analysis from Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index (CPI), rent prices in Ontario rose by 7.1 per cent in August 2024, compared to the same time last year. The increase for all...
Orleans housing development approved in minutes after land deal to save local forest
It took Ottawa's Planning and Housing Committee just five minutes to approved a low-rise development project in Orleans, something the local councillor attributes to a community-engaged process and a land-swap deal to save a local woodland.
Council approves demolition of heritage buildings in Lowertown
Ottawa City Council has approved the demolition of three heritage buildings on St. Patrick Street, which the local community association describes as “the poster children for demolition by neglect.” The decision means that the buildings, at 227-229, 231-233and 235-237 St. Patrick St., just west of Dalhousie, can be torn down and the property redeveloped. City staff supported demolition, noting the...
Committee approves controversial Stittsville high-rise development over objections of locals
A controversial high-rise development in Stittsville got the green light from Ottawa’s planning committee Sept. 11, despite opposition from many residents and the local councillor, who say the area lacks the infrastructure to support it.
Canadians remain worried about increasing cost of living, despite inflation easing
New data from the Angus Reid Institute (ARI) shows Canadians remain concerned about the cost of living, despite inflation stabilizing. Some 60 per cent of those surveyed rate inflation a top concern. The poll shows 32 per cent of those surveyed are considered “Struggling” on the ARI Economic Stress Index which analyzes financial indicators and measures economic stress. This is...
More Canadians say they may leave their home province, especially new residents, survey shows
New data from the Angus Reid Institute shows that three in 10 (28 per cent) Canadians are considering leaving their province of residence due to housing affordability.
Ottawa Community Housing CEO emphasizes need to work together
Ottawa Community Housing presented its 2023 report to city council on Wednesday and how it's planning to create more affordable housing.
Ottawa city council votes yes to increase in development charges
Ottawa's city council voted Wednesday to replace a development charges bylaw from 2019.
Plan for stacked development in Kanata gets thumbs up from planning committee
Ottawa planning committee has endorsed a plan to build 100 stacked dwelling units on a private street.
The 25th Hour: Cheap rent? Good luck!
Rent in Ottawa is unaffordable for many. Capital Current explains why prices have risen, and what can be done about it.
The 25th Hour: How Housing First works
The CMHA in Ottawa promotes its Housing First strategy as an effective solution to homelessness. Nathan Fung learns more about their condo program.
Pastor objects to heritage designation for church; ‘Shut the doors,’ he says
The Built Heritage Committee of the City of Ottawa has ruled that an aging church building on King Edward Avenue has heritage value. The church's congegration objects. City council will decide.
Raising the Roof supporters sleep in cars, buy toques to ease homelessness
Toque Tuesday (Feb. 6) was a night for supporters of Raising the Roof, a national charity aimed at easing the homelessness, to experience what life is like on the streets.
Ontario renters struggle as inflation soars
Capital Current breaks down the rise in rent prices.
City’s approval of Centretown tower prompts community pushback
Some residents say the project is too tall given the single family homes that fill the surrounding neighbourhood.
Price is sending Ottawa couples to Gatineau for a new home, expert says
Prices of homes are affecting first-time home buyers and renters as Ottawa residents are looking to cut costs.
City council to consider approval of high-rise project despite concern it will cast shade on Experimental Farm research
The City of Ottawa’s Planning and Housing Committee has approved the proposal to build two high rise towers on Baseline Road, despite lack of direction from the federal government. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada have raised concerns about potential shadowing over the farm.