More affordable housing coming to Ottawa

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Good morning!

I’d like to start off by saying this will be my last newsletter for the Lookout for a while as Robert prepares to return on Friday. It has been a true privilege to connect with readers and to report the news of the day. My thanks to Robert and Geoff for the opportunity. You might see me pop up occasionally in the future!

If you want to keep following my work, please read the Kitchissippi Times newspaper and follow me on Twitter @Charlie_Senack.

In this newsletter, we are looking at a new affordable housing complex that will be built on Gladstone near Little Italy. We also have the latest local details on the Israel-Hamas conflict, and the Canadian citizens who have lost their lives as a result.

Much thanks for reading over the past month and a half. Wishing Robert and the entire Lookout team the best as they continue to update you on the latest local news.

— Charlie Senack, [email protected]

Editor’s note: A huge thanks to Charlie for doing such a great job these last weeks as I’ve been off. It’s been great knowing the newsletter has been in such capable hands while my family grew a little larger. Be sure to keep up with him elsewhere, but don’t worry, Charlie will be back! — Robert

Consider forwarding this to your friends so they can discover the Lookout. New to the Lookout? Sign-up for free.

WEATHER

Wednesday: 15 🌡️ 7 | 🌤

Thursday: 17 🌡️ 12 | 🌤

Friday: 16 🌡️ 11 | 🌧

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Ottawa Community Housing announces new affordable project near Gladstone

Welcome news: Ottawa Community Housing has announced that a new affordable housing complex will be built on Gladstone Avenue near Little Italy. A groundbreaking for the complex was held at the site on Monday, according to CTV. 

The building will be located at 820 Gladstone Ave. and will include 273 units.

• “We'll be having up to four-bedroom apartments soon, which is quite unique in Canada.…"In fact, we build up to six bedrooms as we speak right now because the needs are there,” Ottawa Community Housing CEO Stéphane Giguère said.

Multi-phased plan: The complex will be part of Mosaïq Phase 2, which includes non-residential spaces dedicated to commercial rentals, community services, and innovative work/live units, according to CityNews. 

Once complete, it will bring the total number of affordable housing units at the site to 413. Phase 1 includes 140 units.

Making progress: Speaking at the ground-breaking event, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said this is one of many significant steps Ottawa is taking to address the affordable housing crisis in the city.

• “This is a remarkable example of collaboration, working together to achieve our shared objective of reducing chronic homelessness by creating both affordable housing and housing with essential support services here in Ottawa,” he said.

Anxious times: For low-income renters, the housing crisis has hit particularly hard. A recent poll by Abacus Data suggests that 73 percent of low-income renters in the country said the increasing cost of rent is a “very serious problem.” Sixty-nine percent of them said the problem had gotten worse in recent months.

Surging prices: The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city was $2,055 this month, up 11 percent year over year according to the latest report from Rentals.ca. A two-bedroom apartment goes for $2,515, up 13 percent year over year.

• Want to see what your neighbours are paying for rent? Check out the Rental Registry to see what others are paying near you.

KEY NUMBERS

🏡 5: The number of generations who’ve lived in these two Island Park Homes. [Kitchissippi Times]

💴 3.8%: The rate Canada’s annual inflation fell to last month. [Ottawa Business Journal]

🚗 252 km/h: The speed a Kingston man was reported travelling at near Napanee. [CTV]

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And, let's face it, there's not much to do in the dead of February anyway 🥶. So come hang out at Whisky Wonderland and enjoy all the vendors, cocktails, food, ice bar, prizes, live bands, giant outdoor igloo, and much more.

OUTSIDE DOWNTOWN

👮‍♂️ Four people, including two cops, were injured after an assault took place at a Barrhaven Quickie convenience store on Sunday night. Charges have not yet been announced, and none of the injuries are considered life-threatening. [CTV]

🚑 Ottawa Paramedics said a teen boy was seriously hurt after being struck by a minivan driver near Merivale High School. The incident took place right in front of the school at Merivale and Viewmount on Monday. [CTV]

🏒 As a new season on the ice starts, many hockey and ringette associations across the community fear a shortage of ice time at city facilities will affect their organizations. Leagues say scheduling around limited availability and increased costs are causing difficulties. [Capital Current]

🫖 Seven Tea Miles has launched a brick-and-mortar store in Westboro. The locally-owned business started as a food truck three years ago at Merivale. [Kitchissippi Times]

ISRAEL-HAMAS CONFLICT

Canadians call for more government support as Israel-Hamas conflict intensifies

The issue: Canadians stuck in Gaza and the West Bank are calling on the federal government to do more in order to keep them safe amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Ottawa resident Noor Hamdalla told CTV she travelled to the West Bank to visit family whom she had not seen in a while and to do charity work. She’s currently safe, but has no idea when she can return to Canada. Hamdalla has access to food and shelter, but she remains afraid.

• “I haven't seen any military presence yet, but I stay up pretty late at night, and any time I hear a voice I am like, 'Oh my God, are they here? Are they coming?,’ ” she said.

Government response: As of Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said 12 evacuation flights had left Tel Aviv, transporting Canadians to Athens, Greece. In five days, approximately 1,300 people have left through the military evacuations.

By the numbers: More than 6,908 Canadians were registered with the Registration of Canadians Abroad in Israel as of Monday, according to the Ottawa Citizen. Global Affairs has responded to 6,236 inquiries since the beginning of the conflict.

Loss of life: Since the first killings on Oct. 7, six Canadians have been killed in the conflict, according to the National Post, including Adi Vital-Kaploun, 33, who has close ties to Ottawa.

HOUSE OF THE WEEK

Are you looking for a multi-generational home? This duplex near the Civic Hospital may be just the ticket. Featuring two units with near-identical layouts, each with their own additional entrance and new windows and other upgrades, this one could be the perfect home for you and all your family.

Check the listing to see the price.

House of The Week is a home selected by the Lookout team and is not a paid advertisement. All ads are labelled as such. If you’re a realtor who wishes to feature your home in our newsletter, please contact our sales team.

THE AGENDA

📻 It’s a sad time for campus radio at the University of Ottawa, where the student body voted to stop funding station CHUO. The levy of about $5 per student every year brought in anywhere from $360,000 to $380,000 annually. It’s too soon to say if the non-profit, independent campus radio station will be forced to close. [CBC]

🛻 As the trial of convoy leaders Tamara Lich and Chris Barber continues, residents of Ottawa are providing testimony over the impact they faced. Zexi Li, who became well known when she launched a multi-million dollar proposed class action lawsuit against the convoy organizers, said it was “near impossible to live” because of the constant horn honking. [CBC]

🎃 Halloween is just around the corner and those who celebrate are noticing an impact on their pockets. Some candy prices have risen as much as 24 percent in the last year. [CTV]

💰 Municipal budget season is just around the corner. Staff were directed to aim for a 2.5 percent property tax increase. Transit fares, and the police and transit levies are also expected to rise 2.5 percent. Public budget consultations start Monday across the city. Find out where the nearest one to you is on the city’s website. [CTV]

💡 Hydro Ottawa customers will now have the option to switch to Ontario's new ultra-low overnight rate plan, which will come into effect Nov. 1. The alternative plan will provide lower prices for electricity between the hours of 11 pm and 7 am, with savings expected of about $90 per year or more. [CTV]

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Reddit users are sharing some of their favourite vanity licence plates they’ve seen across town. [Reddit]

• Bruyère and OutCare Foundations’ Black Tie Bingo returns November 4th. Experience Hollywood Glam while raising funds for palliative care. Purchase all-inclusive tickets here. [Sponsored]

• Porter will add nine new routes from Ottawa in the coming months to destinations like Boston, Ft. Lauderdale, Thunder Bay and Calgary. [Porter Airlines]

• A Lego construction of Parliament Hill took months to complete, includes thousands of pieces, and has a ton of great details. [Reddit]

• The colours this time of year are really something to see, especially from high up enough. [Reddit]

• Want to have your announcement featured? Contact our partnership team for more info.

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CAPITAL EATS

Don’t miss this four-cheese gnocchi stars

Food writing at Capital Eats is written by our food and wine editor Ralf Joneikies.

Open seven days a week, stop in at any time at this spot and you can see how well loved by locals it is. Certainly their 15-inch Neapolitan-style pizzas represent one of the best pizza values in the city, but there is so much more to recommend.

My first great experience of fritto misto (mixed, fried seafood) was in Porto Ischia, the capital of the eponymous island not far from Napoli. The fish had just been caught and immediately delivered to the seaside cantina. In less than an hour, it landed in front of me gently battered and seasoned.

We can’t expect that degree of freshness anywhere in the capital, but at this local restaurant they demonstrate an equally light touch in the timing of the dish. Large, flavourful shrimp alongside sweet and tender rings of calamari are flash-fried and served with lemon wedges and a side of cocktail sauce.

It’s so good that, along with a pint, it’s on my short list for those seeking a quick and delicious solo lunch.

SPORTS

🏒 Will Josh Norris play? That is a question many Ottawa Senators fans are asking. Either way, the team is getting set off to face off against the Washington Capitals. [Ottawa Sun]

⚽ Last week girls from across Ottawa heard from female leaders and role models in sport during Sports Day the Girls Way held at Lansdowne Park. About 700 girls from grades 7 to 8 had the chance to try activities and new sports. [CTV]

🥅 Daniel Alfredson is back with the Ottawa Senators in a coaching development role. It’s news the team's fans have been waiting to hear for a long time. [Ottawa Sun]

OTTAWA GUESSER

Do you know where this is? The first five people to respond get their names mentioned in the newsletter.

Last week’s photo was taken at Fringe and Foliage Hair and House Plants near Westgate Shopping Centre.