Industry News

OTTAWA, ON – Ottawa is facing a housing affordability crisis affecting residents across the city. Young families are being priced out of neighbourhoods where they work and grew up; seniors are unable to downsize within their own communities, and both homebuyers and renters are struggling to find housing that meets their needs at a cost they can afford. OREB’s REALTORS® work every day with buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants, and see first-hand how limited housing choice and rising costs affect both those seeking housing and those working to provide it.

The Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) welcomes city council’s decision to adopt the Zoning By law, intended to address Ottawa’s housing affordability challenges.

The new zoning by-law is good for home buyers and sellers. It will increase housing supply and expand the range of attainable housing options across the city. The new by-law provides the regulatory foundation needed to deliver more homes in the locations where people want and need to live. It also supports mixed use and transit-oriented development, reduces unnecessary barriers such as minimum parking requirements in urban areas, and creates greater certainty for housing investment.

The new zoning by-law is also good for landlords and tenants. It modernizes zoning rules, providing greater certainty for investment in more affordable rental housing. This will give renters more choice and reduce pressure on the cost of rental housing.

OREB acknowledges that zoning reform is not easy. Across Ontario, municipalities have announced ambitious housing policies only to retreat or dilute them in the face of local opposition. Ottawa’s decision to adopt the new Zoning By law demonstrates leadership and alignment with its Official Plan, housing targets, and long-term economic interests.

OREB is proud to have been one of the leading advocates for the new zoning by-law. Notably, OREB made the new zoning by-law a key component of its delegations to city committees, a priority issue during its recent days of action, a focus of our opinion editorials over the past year, and recent research we commissioned with Abacus Data.

OREB appreciates the leadership shown by Mayor Sutcliffe, Members of Council, and City staff, and looks forward to continuing to work collaboratively to support policies that expand housing opportunities for Ottawa residents.