A new report commissioned by the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) paints a bleak picture of household finances and housing affordability in the capital city.
Nearly two-thirds of residents say they are concerned about losing their home or rental unit if their financial situation suddenly changes, while four in five are concerned about the overall state of housing in Ottawa today, according to a survey of 1,000 city locals conducted in September by Abacus Data.
“When six in ten residents worry about losing their home if their financial situation changes, it’s a clear sign that we must do more to improve housing affordability and choice,” said OREB president Paul Czan. “We must make it easier to build more homes that families need and can afford.”
OREB to meet with city officials
In a statement, OREB said it is meeting this week with Ottawa city councillors to advance policy solutions that will speed up the development of more affordable homes.
Specifically, OREB has a three-point policy plan that is asking the city to reform development charges to lower costs, pass a zoning bylaw that enables more housing choices and protect tenants while expanding rental supply.
“Ottawa renters need protection, not more paperwork,” said Czan. “Most residents support fixing the Landlord and Tenant Board and cracking down on bad landlords, but they don’t want new red tape that drives small landlords out of the market.”
What do residents think?
When asked which issues they most want elected officials to focus on, respondents to the Abacus survey identified cost of living (47 per cent), housing affordability (44 per cent) and homelessness (29 per cent) as the most important priorities.
Two-thirds of residents (67 per cent) describe housing in their area as unaffordable, yet 71 per cent of non-homeowners still hope to buy a home someday.
However, of all respondents doubt they’ll ever be able to afford a home in their community of choice.
“Ottawa residents are telling us that what they need are more affordable housing options—especially missing middle housing like duplexes, triplexes, townhouses and small apartment buildings that seniors, families and young people can afford,” said Nicole Christy, CEO of OREB. “The good news is that there’s broad public support for action on things like lowering development costs, modernizing zoning and reducing red tape.”
Elected leaders at all three levels of government recieved poor grades from respondents on improving Ottawa’s housing situation. Three in five residents say they are dissatisfied with the leadership shown by the federal, provincial and municipal governments alike on housing issues, while only 36 per cent believe the City of Ottawa is prioritizing housing affordability.