Ottawa is moving quickly to tackle the housing crisis, and at the centre of that effort is a major redevelopment at 2475 Regina Street. As the largest project approved under the federal government’s Build Canada Homes initiative, the site is set to deliver 266 new residential units, combining private and non-profit partnerships to accelerate construction and expand housing supply.
This project is one of eight approved developments announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney in April 2026, part of a broader push to deliver over 1,100 new rental homes across the city—most of them affordable.
A Flagship Project for Scaled Housing Delivery
Located in Ottawa’s west end, the 2475 Regina Street development (Parkway House) represents a new model for housing delivery in Canada:
- 266 residential units, making it the largest project in the current federal pipeline
- A mixed delivery model, combining private sector expertise with non-profit housing providers
- Construction expected to begin in Fall 2026, with shovel-ready planning already in place
By leveraging public land, flexible financing, and coordinated approvals, this project demonstrates how governments can move faster when all levels align around a shared housing goal.
Why This Project Matters
While one development alone won’t solve the housing crisis, 2475 Regina Street highlights a scalable approach:
- Speed: Projects are fast-tracked, with construction timelines already defined
- Affordability: A strong emphasis on rental housing, with a majority of units priced below market rates
- Partnerships: Collaboration between federal, municipal, and community housing organizations
- Replicability: A model that can be applied in other cities across Ontario and Canada
This is not just about building one site—it’s about building a system that delivers housing consistently and at scale.
A National Strategy Playing Out at the Local Level
The Regina Street development is part of a larger federal-municipal agreement between Ottawa and the Government of Canada to build up to 3,000 mixed-income homes. It also aligns with broader efforts to:
- Reduce development costs through lower municipal charges
- Unlock public land for housing
- Promote modern construction methods
- Strengthen Canadian supply chains through a “Build Canadian” approach
In total, the eight Ottawa projects under this initiative will deliver over 1,100 homes, with more than 90% designated as rental housing.
Setting the Tone for What Comes Next
As the largest single project in the program, 2475 Regina Street sets the tone for the rest of the Keys to the City Ottawa series. Over the coming weeks, GTA Weekly will break down each of the remaining seven developments—showing how smaller sites and non-profit builds contribute to a broader housing strategy.
The Bigger Picture
While some cities are still debating how much they should grow, Ottawa is already delivering housing—project by project.
For Ontario cities facing population pressure, rising costs, and housing shortages, the message is clear:
building faster, at scale, and with coordination is no longer optional—it’s necessary.
Keys to the City is GTA Weekly’s editorial series spotlighting affordable housing projects and the solutions shaping Canada’s housing future.
Follow us @GTAWeeklyNews for more coverage.
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