The Ottawa City Council has given permission for construction to commence on Odayanhaway (Little Village), a new sustainable transit-oriented infill development.
Located on an underutilized parking lot adjacent to a light transit station and the Ottawa River, the development will feature two buildings: a 16-story market affordable high-rise with 148 units, with at least 80% meeting Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) affordability criteria, as well as a commitment to include deeply affordable units, and a 6-story affordable nonprofit building with 66 affordable units. The land for the 6-story building is being donated by the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa (FirstU), which is creating this development through a partnership with Theia Partners and Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS).
The groundbreaking on the project is slated for as early as next summer and construction is expected to be completed by 2028.
“This project reflects an innovative collaboration between private, non-profit and charitable sectors,” said Rodney Theia, partner at Theia Partners. “The partnership with FirstU, in particular, showcases how underused spaces in a prime transit-oriented location can be repurposed for a meaningful, community-focused project that addresses both housing shortages and sustainability goals.” – Rodney Wilts, Theia Partners
“As Unitarians, our principles call us to work for social justice including addressing poverty through our commitment to building affordable and deeply affordable housing,” added Chuck Shields, president of First U. “Our principles also remind us to respect the interdependence of the natural world around us, so we are also excited that we can provide ecologically sustainable housing within walking distance to public transit, with minimal impact on our much-loved gardens. As a faith community that takes Indigenous reconciliation very seriously, we are eager to donate land to OAHS so they can provide affordable homes and welcome Indigenous people to our campus.”
Photo: Artist’s rendering of Odayanhaway
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