Small-scale Homebuilder Outreach and Content Development
Ottawa Climate Action Fund (OCAF) is seeking a qualified and experienced proponent to deliver components of Secondary Suite Initiative designed to encourage the uptake and completions of additional residential units (ARUs) in Ottawa.
This work is part of OCAF’s Fill it First Program, which aims to add new infill housing options in existing neighbourhoods as an alternative to urban sprawl, cutting emissions related to transportation and built form, while improving livability and affordability. OCAF-commissioned research investigated the carbon implications of Ottawa’s housing growth targets. The analysis found that emissions vary significantly depending on where housing is built and the typology, with secondary suites in existing neighbourhoods offering the greatest climate benefits.
The City of Ottawa recently reformed its zoning bylaws to enable a range of missing middle housing in existing neighbourhoods. There reforms include permissions for additional residential units on single-family properties, allowing up to 4-units. Changing zoning alone will not necessarily drive uptake and successful completions of ARUs. More is needed to support property owners to navigate the City’s application process and the steps involved with taking on a building project.
In response, OCAF is developing a Secondary Suite Initiative, centred around an interactive portal that guides users through the step-by-step process of adding suites to their single-family house and/or backyard. The portal, being developed in partnership with Toronto-based non-profit ReHousing, is independent of the City’s application process. It will be a homeowner-facing portal to provide support before, during and after they decide to pursue an ARU with the City. OCAF’s broader secondary suite initiative also encompasses a resident awareness campaign and promotional activities.
ReHousing is developing the core step-by-step elements of the portal, including:
- Property assessment
- Design options for adding suites
- Cost calculator and budget tool
- Individualized guide to the city’s application and permitting process
This call for proposals is seeking a proponent to develop and manage additional steps to be offered in the portal, including:
- Finding a builder
- Financing options
- Cost-competitive options to build energy efficient units
The proponent’s scope of work will also involve industry consultations, navigation of the city’s application process and more broadly supporting OCAF’s secondary suite initiative.
The proponent should review ReHousing’s Toronto platform which features elements comparable to what they are developing for Ottawa.
Interested proponents can find the full details of the work, including scope, qualifications and budget, as well as the application form by following the links below.