Ontario Construction News staff writer
OTTAWA — Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) has broken ground on a six-storey, 45-home affordable housing project in the city’s south end that will prioritize energy efficiency and long-term sustainability.
Located in the Shearwater Court area, the building replaces nine aging townhomes and adds 36 additional units to Ottawa’s housing supply. The development will include 22 three-bedroom, 11 two-bedroom and 12 one-bedroom apartments, with nine designed to be barrier-free to meet accessibility needs.
The building will be fully electric and constructed to Passive House standards, a high-performance design that reduces energy use, cuts greenhouse gas emissions and enhances comfort for tenants through efficient systems and a well-insulated building envelope.
“This redevelopment strengthens an existing community by replacing aging infrastructure with modern, energy-efficient homes, adds more affordable housing, and stimulates the local economy through job creation and construction,” said OCH CEO Stéphane Giguère. “It’s a strong example of how thoughtful, people-focused housing can create lasting benefits for both residents and the city as a whole.”
Beaudoin Construction, a local builder, was awarded the construction contract. Vice-president of business development Denis Stocker said the company is committed to delivering “exceptional homes that offer lasting value for the community.”
The fully electric, six-storey building will include:
- High-performance insulation and airtight building envelope to minimize heat loss
- Triple-glazed windows that enhance thermal comfort and reduce energy consumption
- Advanced ventilation systems designed to optimize indoor air quality
- Solar photovoltaic panels to generate clean, renewable energy and offset electricity needs
- Energy-efficient lighting and appliances to further reduce overall energy demand
The project is part of OCH’s broader effort to expand access to affordable housing across Ottawa. The non-profit provider manages about 15,000 homes that house roughly 33,000 residents, including seniors, families and people with disabilities.
Construction at Shearwater Court is expected to create local jobs while contributing to Ottawa’s long-term housing and climate goals.
