Ottawa’s housing strategy continues to take shape with a new development at 1770 Heatherington Road (Phase 1), set to deliver 90 residential units as part of the federal Build Canada Homes initiative.
Located on a site long associated with community use in the Heatherington neighbourhood, the project reflects a broader shift toward community-led housing solutions—where affordability, local services, and long-term land stewardship are built into the development model.
A Community-Based Approach to Housing
The Heatherington Road project is part of a non-profit and community land trust-driven model, aimed at preserving affordability over the long term:
- 90 residential units in Phase 1, with potential for future expansion
- Construction expected to begin in Spring 2027
- A focus on affordable rental housing, aligned with federal and municipal priorities
Community land trusts are designed to remove land from speculative markets, ensuring that housing remains affordable for future generations rather than being driven by market pressures.
Housing Integrated with Community Infrastructure
The site at 1770 Heatherington Road is closely tied to existing community services, including the nearby Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa facility, reinforcing a model that integrates housing with local support networks.
Satellite imagery of the site shows vacant land behind the existing Boys and Girls Club facility, where the proposed housing development is expected to take shape.
This approach provides:
- Access to youth programming and family services
- A stronger connection between housing and community well-being
- A framework for building complete, service-connected neighbourhoods
Rather than developing housing in isolation, this project supports a holistic model of community building.
Part of a Broader Housing Strategy
The Heatherington Road development is one of eight projects approved under Ottawa’s federal-municipal partnership to deliver over 1,100 rental homes.
The strategy emphasizes:
- Non-profit and community-based housing providers
- Affordable rental supply, with a strong focus on long-term accessibility
- Staggered construction timelines, ensuring a steady pipeline of new homes
- Innovative land use models, including community land trusts
Together, these projects demonstrate how cities can combine policy, partnerships, and land strategy to accelerate housing delivery.
Building for the Long Term
Heatherington Road highlights a key shift in housing strategy:
- Moving from short-term development cycles to long-term affordability planning
- Using land trusts to protect housing from market volatility
- Integrating housing with existing community infrastructure
This is not just about building homes—it’s about preserving affordability and stability for decades to come.
The Bigger Picture
As cities across Canada search for solutions to the housing crisis, Ottawa’s approach offers a compelling example.
By combining community land trusts, non-profit housing, and integrated service networks, the Heatherington Road project demonstrates how housing can be delivered in a way that is not only faster—but smarter and more sustainable.
🏙️ Keys to the City is GTA Weekly’s editorial series spotlighting affordable housing projects and the solutions shaping Canada’s housing future.
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