1.          AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONSTRUCTION READY PROJECTS: 245-247 CRICHTON STREET AND 1053 -1057 MERIVALE ROAD

 

PROJETS DE LOGEMENTS ABORDABLES PRÊTS À RÉALISER : 245-247, RUE CRICHTON ET 1053-1057, CHEMIN MERIVALE

 

 

Committee RecommendationS

 

That Council approve:

 

1053 and 1057 Merivale Road

 

1.                  Based on the letter dated June 18, 2009 to Shepherd’s of Good Hope from the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Housing Division of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, confirming an allocation of $6,000,000 in construction ready funding under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program for projects approved by Council on June 10, 2009, that staff be directed to negotiate a Municipal Housing Project Facilities Agreement with the Shepherds of Good Hope respecting 1053 and 1057 Merivale Road that provides for fifty-five permanent rental affordable housing units and a grant of an estimated $60,000.00 in lieu of building permit fees subject to:

a)                  the Shepherds of Good Hope executing a contribution agreement with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing that provides for funding in the amount of $6,000,000 under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program for the project,

b)                  the Municipal Housing Facilities By-law (2006-1) and,

c)                  Council enacting a Municipal Housing Project Facilities By-law for this project.

2.                  That the City Clerk and Solicitor be authorized to forward the project specific Municipal Housing Project Facilities by-law for 1053 and 1057 Merivale Road directly to City Council for enactment in accordance with the Municipal Housing Facilities By-law 2006-1, subject to successful negotiation and execution of the Municipal Housing Project Facilities Agreement for the project.

 

245-247 Crichton Street

 

3.                  Based on the letter dated June 18, 2009 to the City of Ottawa from the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Housing Division of the Ministry of Municipal Affair and Housing, confirming an allocation of $720,000 in construction ready funding under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program for projects approved by Council on June 10, 2009 that staff be directed to proceed immediately with a Request for Proposals to redevelop 245-247 Crichton Street under Action Ottawa program to provide for a minimum of six permanent rental affordable housing units;

4.                  That 245-247 Crichton Street, as shown on Document 1, be declared surplus to the City’s needs;

5.                  That, in accordance with the City’s Policy for the Disposal of Real Property, approve the sale of 245-247 Crichton Street at fair market value, estimated to be $750,000.00 and approve a grant to the housing provider selected under the Request for Proposals of up to $750,000.00 to offset the acquisition cost, with the grant to be included in the Municipal Housing Project Facilities Agreement between the City and the selected housing provider, subject to:

a)                  Any easements that may be required,

b)                  The provision of the right of first refusal/option in favour of the City to repurchase the property in the event of sale for the sum of $1.00,

c)                  The provisions of the negotiated Municipal Housing Facilities Agreement, the City’s Municipal Housing Facilities By-law (2006-1) and the provisions of this report.

6.                  That staff be directed to negotiate and execute a purchase and sale agreement for 245-247 Crichton Street on the basis of the criteria set out in Recommendation 5 above.

7.                  That staff be directed to negotiate a Municipal Housing Project Facilities Agreement with the selected housing provider, which includes a grant of an estimated $80,000.00 in lieu of building permit fees, subject to:

a)                  the selected housing provider executing a contribution agreement with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for funding in the amount of $720,000 under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program for the project,

b)                  any conditions imposed by the Action Ottawa Selection Committee,

c)                  the Municipal Housing Facilities By-law (2006-1), and

d)                  Council enacting a Municipal Housing Project Facilities By-law for this project.

8.                  That the City Clerk and Solicitor be authorized to forward the project specific Municipal Housing Project Facilities by-law for 245-247 Crichton Street directly to City Council for enactment in accordance with the Municipal Housing Facilities By-law 2006-1, subject to successful negotiation and execution of the Municipal Housing Project Facilities Agreement for the project.

9.                  That the Manager of Housing Services Branch be authorized to facilitate a partnership with the Ottawa Congress Centre and the Building and Construction Trades Council with the non-profit housing provider selected through the Action Ottawa Request for Proposals to fully renovate 245-247 Crichton Street for Affordable Housing with supports.

 

 

 

RECOMMANDATIONS DU COMITÉ

 

Que le Conseil approuve :

 

1053-1057, chemin Merivale

 

1.                  Conformément à la lettre du sous-ministre adjoint de la Division du logement du ministère des Affaires municipales et du Logement envoyée aux Bergers de l’espoir le 18 juin 2009 pour confirmer l’octroi d’un financement de 6 000 000 $, aux termes du Programme Canada-Ontario de logement abordable, pour la mise en chantier des projets prêts à réaliser approuvés par le Conseil le 10 juin 2009, donner instruction au personnel de négocier avec les Bergers de l’espoir une entente sur les installations relatives à des projets municipaux de logement pour le réaménagement de la propriété située aux 1053-1057, chemin Merivale et la création de 55 unités de logement abordables en location permanente. Cette entente comprendra une subvention d’environ 60 000 $ destinée à couvrir les droits de permis de construction, sous réserve :

a)                  de la conclusion d’un accord de contribution entre les Bergers de l’espoir et le ministre des Affaires municipales et du Logement pour l’attribution d’un financement de 6 000 000 $, aux termes du Programme Canada-Ontario de logement abordable, pour ce projet;

b)                  du respect du Règlement municipal sur les ensembles domiciliaires (2006-1);

c)                  de la promulgation, par le Conseil, d’un règlement municipal sur les installations relatives à des projets municipaux de logement pour ce projet.

2.                  Donner au greffier municipal et au chef du contentieux l'autorisation de présenter directement au Conseil un règlement municipal régissant les installations relatives à des projets municipaux de logement pour le projet des 1053-1057, chemin Merivale en vue de son adoption, conformément au Règlement municipal sur les ensembles domiciliaires (2006-1) et moyennant la négociation et la conclusion d’une entente sur les installations relatives à des projets municipaux de logement pour ce projet.

 

245-247, rue Crichton

 

3.                  Conformément à la lettre du sous-ministre adjoint de la Division du logement du ministère des Affaires municipales et du Logement envoyée à la Ville d’Ottawa le 18 juin 2009 pour confirmer l’octroi d’un financement de 720 000 $, aux termes du Programme Canada-Ontario de logement abordable, pour la mise en chantier des projets prêts à réaliser approuvés par le Conseil le 10 juin 2009, donner instruction au personnel de produire immédiatement une demande de propositions pour le réaménagement de la propriété située aux 245-247, rue Crichton et la création d’un minimum de six unités de logement abordables en location permanente en vertu du programme Action Ottawa;

4.                  Déclarer la propriété située aux 245-247, rue Crichton, illustrée au document 1, excédentaire par rapport aux besoins de la Ville;

5.                  Approuver, conformément à la Politique sur l’aliénation de biens immobiliers de la Ville, la vente de la propriété située aux 245-247, rue Crichton à sa juste valeur marchande, estimée à 750 000 $, et l’octroi d’une subvention jusqu’à concurrence de 750 000 $ au fournisseur de logements sélectionné à la suite de la demande de propositions pour compenser les coûts de cette acquisition. Cette subvention serait comprise dans l’entente sur les installations relatives à des projets municipaux de logement entre la Ville et le fournisseur de logements sélectionné, sous réserve :

a)                  des servitudes requises;

b)                  de l’attribution à la Ville d’un droit de premier refus ou d’une option pour le rachat de la propriété en cas de vente moyennant la somme de 1 $;

c)                  des dispositions de l’entente sur les installations relatives à des projets municipaux de logement qui aura été négociée, du respect du Règlement municipal sur les ensembles domiciliaires (2006-1) et des dispositions du présent rapport.

6.                  Donner instruction au personnel de négocier et de signer une promesse bilatérale de vente concernant la propriété située aux 245-247, rue Crichton, selon les critères énoncés à la recommandation 5;

7.                  Donner instruction au personnel de négocier une entente sur les installations relatives à des projets municipaux de logement avec le fournisseur de logements sélectionné. Cette entente comprendra une subvention d’environ 80 000 $ destinée à couvrir les droits de permis de construction, sous réserve :

a)                  de la conclusion d’une entente entre le fournisseur de logements sélectionné et le ministre des Affaires municipales et du Logement pour l’attribution d’un financement de 720 000 $, aux termes du Programme Canada-Ontario de logement abordable, pour ce projet;

b)                  du respect des conditions imposées par le comité de sélection d’Action Ottawa;

c)                  du respect du Règlement municipal sur les ensembles domiciliaires (2006-1);

d)                  de la promulgation, par le Conseil, d’un règlement municipal sur les installations relatives à des projets municipaux de logement pour ce projet.

8.                  Donner au greffier municipal et au chef du contentieux l'autorisation de présenter directement au Conseil un règlement municipal régissant les installations relatives à des projets municipaux de logement pour le projet des 245-247, rue Crichton en vue de son adoption, conformément au Règlement municipal sur les ensembles domiciliaires (2006-1) et moyennant la négociation et la conclusion d’une entente sur les installations relatives à des projets municipaux de logement pour ce projet.

9.                  Autoriser le directeur de la Direction du logement à favoriser l’établissement d’un partenariat entre, d’une part, le Centre des congrès d’Ottawa et le Building and Construction Trades Council et, d’autre part, le fournisseur de logements sans but lucratif sélectionné à la suite de la demande de propositions, en vertu du programme Action Ottawa, pour rénover complètement la propriété située aux 245-247, rue Crichton et la transformer en unités de logement abordables en milieu de soutien.

 

 

 

Documentation

 

1.      City Manager’s and Deputy City Manager's report, City Operations dated 26 June 2009 (ACS2009-COS-SOC-0012).

 

Report to/Rapport au:

 

Community and Protective Services Committee

Comité des services communautaires et de protection

 

and Council / et au Conseil

 

26 June 2009 / le 26 juin 2009

 

Submitted by/Soumis par:

Steve Kanellakos, Deputy City Manager/Directeur municipal adjoint,

City Operations/Opérations municipales 

 

Contact Person/Personne ressource : Stephen Arbuckle, Acting Manager of Housing, Community and Social Services Department/Gest.Logement,  Services sociaux et communautaires

(613) 580-2424 x44117, Stephen.Arbuckle@ottawa.ca

 

Submitted by/Soumis par: Kent Kirkpatrick, City Manager/

Directeur des services municipaux

 

Contact Person/Personne ressource : Gordon MacNair, Manager, Acting Director,

Real Estate Partnership and Development Office/Directeur par intérim,

Partenariats et Développement en immobilier

 (613) 580-2424 x 21217, Gordon.MacNair@Ottawa.ca 

 

 

Rideau-Rockcliffe (13) and River/Rivière (16)

Ref N°: ACS2009-COS-SOC-0012

 

 

SUBJECT:

Affordable Housing Construction Ready Projects:

245-247 Crichton Street and 1053 -1057 Merivale Road

 

 

OBJET :

PROJETS DE LOGEMENTS ABORDABLES PRÊTS À RÉALISER : 245-247, RUE CRICHTON ET 1053-1057, CHEMIN MERIVALE     

 

 

REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS

 

That the Community and Protective Services Committee recommend that Council approve:

 

1053 and 1057 Merivale Road

 

1.      Based on the letter dated June 18, 2009 to Shepherd’s of Good Hope from the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Housing Division of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, confirming an allocation of $6,000,000 in construction ready funding under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program for projects approved by Council on June 10, 2009, that staff be directed to negotiate a Municipal Housing Project Facilities Agreement with the Shepherds of Good Hope respecting 1053 and 1057 Merivale Road that provides for fifty-five permanent rental affordable housing units and a grant of an estimated $60,000.00 in lieu of building permit fees subject to:

a)      the Shepherds of Good Hope executing a contribution agreement with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing that provides for funding in the amount of $6,000,000 under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program for the project,

b)      the Municipal Housing Facilities By-law (2006-1) and,

c)      Council enacting a Municipal Housing Project Facilities By-law for this project.

2.      That the City Clerk and Solicitor be authorized to forward the project specific Municipal Housing Project Facilities by-law for 1053 and 1057 Merivale Road directly to City Council for enactment in accordance with the Municipal Housing Facilities By-law 2006-1, subject to successful negotiation and execution of the Municipal Housing Project Facilities Agreement for the project.

 

245-247 Crichton Street

 

3.      Based on the letter dated June 18, 2009 to the City of Ottawa from the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Housing Division of the Ministry of Municipal Affair and Housing, confirming an allocation of $720,000 in construction ready funding under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program for projects approved by Council on June 10, 2009 that staff be directed to proceed immediately with a Request for Proposals to redevelop 245-247 Crichton Street under Action Ottawa program to provide for a minimum of six permanent rental affordable housing units;

4.      That 245-247 Crichton Street, as shown on Document 1, be declared surplus to the City’s needs;

5.      That, in accordance with the City’s Policy for the Disposal of Real Property, approve the sale of 245-247 Crichton Street at fair market value, estimated to be $750,000.00 and approve a grant to the housing provider selected under the Request for Proposals of up to $750,000.00 to offset the acquisition cost, with the grant to be included in the Municipal Housing Project Facilities Agreement between the City and the selected housing provider, subject to:

a)      Any easements that may be required,

b)      The provision of the right of first refusal/option in favour of the City to repurchase the property in the event of sale for the sum of $1.00,

c)      The provisions of the negotiated Municipal Housing Facilities Agreement, the City’s Municipal Housing Facilities By-law (2006-1) and the provisions of this report.

6.                  That staff be directed to negotiate and execute a purchase and sale agreement for 245-247 Crichton Street on the basis of the criteria set out in Recommendation 5 above.

7.                  That staff be directed to negotiate a Municipal Housing Project Facilities Agreement with the selected housing provider, which includes a grant of an estimated $80,000.00 in lieu of building permit fees, subject to:

 

a)                  the selected housing provider executing a contribution agreement with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for funding in the amount of $720,000 under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program for the project,

b)                  any conditions imposed by the Action Ottawa Selection Committee,

c)                  the Municipal Housing Facilities By-law (2006-1), and

d)                  Council enacting a Municipal Housing Project Facilities By-law for this project.

8.                  That the City Clerk and Solicitor be authorized to forward the project specific Municipal Housing Project Facilities by-law for 245-247 Crichton Street directly to City Council for enactment in accordance with the Municipal Housing Facilities By-law 2006-1, subject to successful negotiation and execution of the Municipal Housing Project Facilities Agreement for the project.

9.                  That the Manager of Housing Services Branch be authorized to facilitate a partnership with the Ottawa Congress Centre and the Building and Construction Trades Council with the non-profit housing provider selected through the Action Ottawa Request for Proposals to fully renovate 245-247 Crichton Street for Affordable Housing with supports.

 

 

RECOMMANDATIONS DU RAPPORT

 

Que le Comité des services communautaires et de protection recommande au Conseil d’approuver ce qui suit :

 

1053-1057, chemin Merivale

 

1.      Conformément à la lettre du sous-ministre adjoint de la Division du logement du ministère des Affaires municipales et du Logement envoyée aux Bergers de l’espoir le 18 juin 2009 pour confirmer l’octroi d’un financement de 6 000 000 $, aux termes du Programme Canada-Ontario de logement abordable, pour la mise en chantier des projets prêts à réaliser approuvés par le Conseil le 10 juin 2009, donner instruction au personnel de négocier avec les Bergers de l’espoir une entente sur les installations relatives à des projets municipaux de logement pour le réaménagement de la propriété située aux 1053-1057, chemin Merivale et la création de 55 unités de logement abordables en location permanente. Cette entente comprendra une subvention d’environ 60 000 $ destinée à couvrir les droits de permis de construction, sous réserve :

a)      de la conclusion d’un accord de contribution entre les Bergers de l’espoir et le ministre des Affaires municipales et du Logement pour l’attribution d’un financement de 6 000 000 $, aux termes du Programme Canada-Ontario de logement abordable, pour ce projet;

b)      du respect du Règlement municipal sur les ensembles domiciliaires (2006-1);

c)      de la promulgation, par le Conseil, d’un règlement municipal sur les installations relatives à des projets municipaux de logement pour ce projet.

2.      Donner au greffier municipal et au chef du contentieux l'autorisation de présenter directement au Conseil un règlement municipal régissant les installations relatives à des projets municipaux de logement pour le projet des 1053-1057, chemin Merivale en vue de son adoption, conformément au Règlement municipal sur les ensembles domiciliaires (2006-1) et moyennant la négociation et la conclusion d’une entente sur les installations relatives à des projets municipaux de logement pour ce projet.

 

245-247, rue Crichton

 

3.      Conformément à la lettre du sous-ministre adjoint de la Division du logement du ministère des Affaires municipales et du Logement envoyée à la Ville d’Ottawa le 18 juin 2009 pour confirmer l’octroi d’un financement de 720 000 $, aux termes du Programme Canada-Ontario de logement abordable, pour la mise en chantier des projets prêts à réaliser approuvés par le Conseil le 10 juin 2009, donner instruction au personnel de produire immédiatement une demande de propositions pour le réaménagement de la propriété située aux 245-247, rue Crichton et la création d’un minimum de six unités de logement abordables en location permanente en vertu du programme Action Ottawa;

4.      Déclarer la propriété située aux 245-247, rue Crichton, illustrée au document 1, excédentaire par rapport aux besoins de la Ville;

5.      Approuver, conformément à la Politique sur l’aliénation de biens immobiliers de la Ville, la vente de la propriété située aux 245-247, rue Crichton à sa juste valeur marchande, estimée à 750 000 $, et l’octroi d’une subvention jusqu’à concurrence de 750 000 $ au fournisseur de logements sélectionné à la suite de la demande de propositions pour compenser les coûts de cette acquisition. Cette subvention serait comprise dans l’entente sur les installations relatives à des projets municipaux de logement entre la Ville et le fournisseur de logements sélectionné, sous réserve :

a)      des servitudes requises;

b)      de l’attribution à la Ville d’un droit de premier refus ou d’une option pour le rachat de la propriété en cas de vente moyennant la somme de 1 $;

c)      des dispositions de l’entente sur les installations relatives à des projets municipaux de logement qui aura été négociée, du respect du Règlement municipal sur les ensembles domiciliaires (2006-1) et des dispositions du présent rapport.

6.      Donner instruction au personnel de négocier et de signer une promesse bilatérale de vente concernant la propriété située aux 245-247, rue Crichton, selon les critères énoncés à la recommandation 5;

7.      Donner instruction au personnel de négocier une entente sur les installations relatives à des projets municipaux de logement avec le fournisseur de logements sélectionné. Cette entente comprendra une subvention d’environ 80 000 $ destinée à couvrir les droits de permis de construction, sous réserve :

a)     de la conclusion d’une entente entre le fournisseur de logements sélectionné et le ministre des Affaires municipales et du Logement pour l’attribution d’un financement de 720 000 $, aux termes du Programme Canada-Ontario de logement abordable, pour ce projet;

b)     du respect des conditions imposées par le comité de sélection d’Action Ottawa;

c)     du respect du Règlement municipal sur les ensembles domiciliaires (2006-1);

d)      de la promulgation, par le Conseil, d’un règlement municipal sur les installations relatives à des projets municipaux de logement pour ce projet.

 

8.      Donner au greffier municipal et au chef du contentieux l'autorisation de présenter directement au Conseil un règlement municipal régissant les installations relatives à des projets municipaux de logement pour le projet des 245-247, rue Crichton en vue de son adoption, conformément au Règlement municipal sur les ensembles domiciliaires (2006-1) et moyennant la négociation et la conclusion d’une entente sur les installations relatives à des projets municipaux de logement pour ce projet.

9.      Autoriser le directeur de la Direction du logement à favoriser l’établissement d’un partenariat entre, d’une part, le Centre des congrès d’Ottawa et le Building and Construction Trades Council et, d’autre part, le fournisseur de logements sans but lucratif sélectionné à la suite de la demande de propositions, en vertu du programme Action Ottawa, pour rénover complètement la propriété située aux 245-247, rue Crichton et la transformer en unités de logement abordables en milieu de soutien.

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, in February 2009, requested project information on “construction ready” Affordable Housing proposals in anticipation of an extended Canada Ontario Affordable Housing Program (Document 2).  On June 9, 2009 an amendment to the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement was announced, resulting in a joint investment of more than $1.2 billion over the next two years for affordable housing. Following this announcement, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) had requested “construction ready” Affordable Housing proposals to expedite funding of viable projects.  Staff have identified the following two projects, subject to Council approval, for the Ministry’s consideration.  Staff were instructed to base capital grants on the previous Canada –Ontario Affordable Housing Program which provided an average Federal-Provincial Grant of $70,000 per unit, although higher allocations are being considered by the MMAH. The Construction Ready Infrastructure funding for new Affordable Housing is expected to be released in early July 2009 as part of the new Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program.  Once the new AHP guidelines are released staff will bring forward a report to Council outlining the terms of the funding and to approve a Housing Delivery Plan to allocate the funding to projects in 2009 and 2010.

 

On June 10th, 2009 Council suspended Rules of Procedure to consider and approve a motion that directed staff to recommend to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing the following projects for construction ready funding under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program.  The following proposals are being recommended because they could both have building permits issued by the fall of 2009 and require little in terms of planning and development approvals.

 

RÉSUMÉ

 

En février 2009, le ministère des Affaires municipales et du Logement a demandé des renseignements au sujet de projets de logement abordable « prêts à réaliser » en vue d’un éventuel élargissement du Programme Canada-Ontario de logement abordable (document 2).

Le 9 juin 2009, le ministère a annoncé des modifications à l’entente Canada-Ontario sur le logement abordable qui se traduiront par des investissements conjoints de 1,2 milliard de dollars pour les deux prochaines années.

 

À la suite de cette annonce, le ministère des Affaires municipales et du Logement a lancé un appel de propositions visant à accélérer le financement de projets viables et « prêts à réaliser ». Le personnel a donc choisi les deux projets décrits ci-dessous et les soumettra au Ministère sous réserve de l’approbation du Conseil. Le personnel a reçu la consigne de respecter les montants de subventions d’équipement prévus à l’ancienne version du Programme Canada-Ontario de logement abordable, soit une subvention fédérale-provinciale moyenne de 70 000 $ par unité, mais le ministère des Affaires municipales et du Logement envisage une augmentation de ces montants. Les nouveaux critères de financement pour les projets prêts à réaliser devraient être annoncés au début du mois de juillet 2009 dans le cadre du nouveau Programme Canada-Ontario de logement abordable. Après cette annonce, le personnel présentera au Conseil un rapport résumant les conditions de financement et proposant l’adoption d’un plan de création de logements qui permettra de financer des projets en 2009 et en 2010.

 

Le 10 juin 2009, le Conseil a suspendu les Règles de procédure pour pouvoir examiner et approuver une motion demandant au personnel de recommander au ministère des Affaires municipales et du Logement, dans le cadre du Programme Canada-Ontario de logement abordable, les projets décrits ci-dessous. Ces projets ont été choisis pour deux raisons. Premièrement, ils pourraient tous les deux obtenir des permis de construction d’ici l’automne 2009; deuxièmement, ils nécessitent peu d’approbations sur les plans de la planification et du développement.

 

DISCUSSION

 

245 Crichton Street

 

The property at 245 Crichton Street is a City owned low-rise apartment building containing six two-bedroom units and one one-bedroom unit in the basement, which is in need of a complete renovation (Document 1). The market value of 245-247 Crichton Street is estimated to be $750,000.  The cost to renovate the structure is expected to range from $800,000 to $1,000,000 depending on the extent of the renovations.   A number of non-profit agencies have expressed interest in acquiring and renovating the existing apartment building. Given the recent funding opportunity, the building could be restored as early as the fall of 2009 for affordable rental housing.

 

The benefits to maintaining the building include retaining existing rental stock, retaining a listed heritage building in the community and providing affordable/supportive housing for persons on the lower end of the housing continuum. Given the significant financial commitment required to restore this building, it is recommended that the property be used for affordable housing and that a housing provider be selected through a Request for Proposals under Action Ottawa targeted to affordable housing with supports rather than typical below market housing. 

 

The Ottawa Congress Centre and Building and Trades Construction Council have expressed an interest in partnering with the City to renovate 245-247 Crichton Street as a part of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two groups to contribute to a solution to help end homelessness in the area. This Ottawa Congress Centre Redevelopment Project is aimed at community building through engaging construction and trade workers in the renewal of the downtown area.

 

The Ottawa Congress Centre Partnership is prepared to offer significant professional contributions toward the project while providing opportunities for advancing the skills of current construction trades and building science workers in the use of new, efficient, environmentally sustainable techniques and materials. Staff are seeking Council approval to facilitate a partnership between the selected housing provider, the Ottawa Congress Centre and the Building and Trades Construction Council to expedite a construction start in order to meet funding deadlines and to lower construction costs. Depending on the amount and terms of funding provided from the Provincial and Federal Governments through the new AHP, staff will release a Request for Proposals under Action Ottawa to select a Non-profit housing provider to partner with the Ottawa Congress Centre and Building and Trades Construction Council to renovate the exiting building.

 

Subject to a Request for Proposals under Action Ottawa, staff are recommending that the City contribution to the project be up to $750,000, being the market value of the property. Once the Affordable Housing funding details are released later in June or early July, staff will have the opportunity to work with the Ministry and a successful Proponent to sell the property based on the funding guidelines, the final proposal’s financial sustainability and potential financing. Depending on the successful proponent, tenant profiles, available financing and financial sustainability of the renovated building and project, staff expect to be able to sell the property to the proponent for up to $350,000. However, given the timelines and uncertainty of the total renovation costs and potential rent revenues, the City may be required to provide the entire value of the site as a capital contribution that will be secured through a Municipal Housing Capital Facility Agreement as well as a first right of refusal for the City in case the property is sold. 

 

 

Shepherds of Good Hope Proposal

 

Staff have been working with a number of charitable and non-profit agencies to identify, acquire and renovate buildings as an alternative to the high cost of new construction for affordable and supportive housing.  In December 2008 Shepherds of Good Hope, in partnership with the Ottawa Inner City Health and Canadian Mental Health Association, presented a proposal to staff to forward to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to purchase the  property at 1053 and 1057 Merivale Road for permanent supportive housing. The proposed model of care is unique to the City and will immediately move 55 people who have resided in the emergency shelter system for many years into rental housing units with the necessary supports for long term stability and community integration.  The buildings are currently used as an apartment hotel, however the units are not typical hotel rooms as they all contain washrooms and kitchenettes with four one-bedroom apartments in the 1053 Merivale Road building.

 

The Affordable Housing Unit had requested in December 2008  (subject to Council approval) up to $3.85M of Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Funds. In June 2009, the Shepherds of Good Hope secured the property through an agreement of purchase and sale and had requested up to $6.0M in funding to cover the full cost acquisition and renovations. The renovations include accessibility and unit modifications, renovations to the ground floor to accommodate a commercial kitchen, dining area, and support service space/offices as well as Site Plan changes for security, parking and amenity spaces.

 

Depending on the funding guidelines, other renovation costs could include updating mechanical and electrical systems, providing energy start rated appliances and meeting 2012 energy efficiency requirements of the Ontario Building Code. The property can be operated within the existing operating budgets of the three partner organizations.

 

This project represents a significant gain in housing for the chronically homeless without the need for new support dollars.   Shepherds of Good Hope is currently in the process of negotiating a revised agreement of purchase and sale conditional upon the following:

 

(1)   A Technical Building Assessment

(2)   An Appraisal

(3)   Sufficient Funding and Financing to acquire and renovate the buildings

 

Staff continue to work closely with the proponent and continue to develop the proposal so that if the project is selected for funding and if the amount and terms of the funding are sufficient to proceed, Shepherds of Good Hope will be in a position to acquire and renovate the building within three months of a signing a contribution agreement with the Province. 

 

CONSULTATION

 

In accordance with policies approved by City Council on 14 November 2001, the availability of the property was circulated to all client City Departments, including the Housing Services Division, Planning and Growth Management and City Operations to determine if these lands should be retained for a City mandated program.  The Infrastructure Services and Community Sustainability Portfolio of the Planning and Growth Management Department was also consulted with respect to the Urban Natural Area Environmental Evaluation Study and Greenspace Master Plan. The Housing Services Division indicated an interest in retaining this property for affordable housing requirements.  No other City Department expressed interest in retaining the property for its use.

 

The utility companies were also circulated and no interest was expressed in the retention of an easement.

 

The following Advisory Committees have been circulated:

 

Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (LACAC)

Ottawa Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee (OFGAC)

Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC)

Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC)

Roads and Cycling Advisory Committee (RCAC)

Rural Issues Advisory Committee (RIAC)

Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee (PTAC)

 

No concerns were expressed with respect to the sale of this property.

 

LEGAL/RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS:

 

There are no legal/risk management impediments to implementing any of the Recommendations arising from this Report.

 

 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

 

Capital spending authority to support the amount of  $140,000 as identified in the recommendation for grants in lie of building permit fees, is currently available for transfer from the Affordable Housing Capital Building Fund project (901001).

 

 

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

 

Document 1      Sketch to illustrate the property at 245-247 Crichton (Map identifying 245-247 Crichton Street).

Document 2      Letter from Assistant Deputy Minister, Municipal Affairs and Housing

 

 

DISPOSITION

 

Housing Services will work to ensure timely implementation of all necessary funding agreements for the Shepherd’s of Good Hope Proposal.

 

Housing Services will conduct an RFP and work to ensure timely implementation of all necessary funding agreements for 245 Crichton Street.

 

Housing Services will bring forward a report to Council outlining the terms of the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing funding and to approve a Housing Delivery Plan to allocate the funding to projects in 2009 and 2010.

 

Real Estate Partnership & Development Office to prepare Agreement of Purchase and Sale re: sale of 245-247 Crichton Street and Legal Services to finalize sale transaction.
 245-247 CRICHTON STREET PROPERTY                                                       DOCUMENT 1

 

 

 

LETTER FROM ASSISTANT DEPUTY MINISTER                                        DOCUMENT 2

 

 

Ministry of            Ministère des

Municipal Affairs                         Affaires municipales

and Housing                               et du Logement

 

Housing Division                                 Division du Logement

777 Bay St 16th Flr                             777, rue Bay 16e étage

Toronto ON  M5G 2E5                         Toronto ON  M5G 2E5

Telephone: (416) 585-6277                   Téléphone: (416) 585-6277

Fax: (416) 585-6800                            Télécopieur:  (416) 585-6800

 

 

 

February 19, 2009

 

 

Mr. John Moser

General Manager, Planning Branch

City of Ottawa

100 Constellation Crescent, 8th Floor East

Ottawa ON   K2G 6J8

 

 

Dear Mr. Moser:

 

Re:      Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program

 

I wish to acknowledge the contribution of our Service Manager partners in successfully implementing the Affordable Housing Program (AHP).

 

In early December I sent a letter to all Service Managers reminding you of the current AHP deadlines, and requesting that you forward any projects that might be ready to proceed in the event of unused AHP funding. 

 

We continue to be interested in projects that would be construction ready within the next two years under the following capital components:  new rental, home repair and new build homeownership. We are also interested in projects targeted to seniors and persons with disabilities as well as any retrofit projects that you anticipate.

 

For all rental projects being submitted now or previously submitted in response to my December 2008 letter, we would require Project Information Form level information. In the case of home repair and new build homeownership, we would expect to see an estimate of the demand over two years, and the basis for this estimate.  The following are what we would consider mandatory criteria for potential ready-to-go projects:

 

 

Rental project information should be submitted by Service Managers through AIMS.  For new homeownership and home repair, Service Managers should submit their estimates of demand to their MSO Team Leads.  We would require all information by March 23, 2009.

 

If you have any questions or require further information, please contact your local MSO Team Lead. If you require any assistance in submitting projects in AIMS, please contact the Ministry AIMS Help Desk at either 416-585-7070 or 1-866-417-5399.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Kathleen Blinkhorn

Assistant Deputy Minister

 

C:         Jim Watson, Minister