Ottawa Community Housing Corporation

Ottawa Community Housing Corporation provides affordable homes for AbOUT 32,000 seniors, parents, children and persons with special needs in 162 communities across the city. OCH is the largest social housing provider in Ottawa and the second largest in Ontario (behind only Toronto).

History

In June 2002, Ottawa Community Housing Corporation was so named following the amalgamation of two organizations, City Living and Ottawa Housing Corporation. Each of these housing Providers had over 25 years of housing experience.

The housing portfolio is scattered throughout the City and includes apartments in low rise and high rise buildings, townhouses, row houses, detached houses and rooming houses. The oldest building is over one hundred years old and the newest is less than one year old.

The City of Ottawa is the sole Shareholder of Ottawa Community Housing (OCH). The Corporation operates at arm’s length from the City and has a Board of Directors of eleven (11) members. The members comprise the Mayor, as Ex-Officio, four (4) City Councillor as City representatives, five (5) Community representatives and a tenant Board member. The Corporation employs about 310 staff.

Vision and Mission

MISSION

Ottawa Community Housing provides and manages quality, safe and affordable housing for low and moderate income households. In collaboration with our tenants, community partners, and as a leader in affordable housing, we promote the development of healthy, diverse sustainable and secure communities.

VISION

Fostering a stock of affordable, well managed and maintained, rental housing in the City of Ottawa to meet the needs of low and moderate income households.

Values

Accountability: Demonstrating responsible use of resources

Excellence: Commitment to continuous improvement, the use of best practices and ongoing evaluation; ensuring a professional, effective and entrepreneurial approach

Partnership: Working together with community agencies and other partners to address the needs of our communities and achieve our vision

Respect: For the dignity of all persons within or seeking to live in our diverse communities, reflected in caring, equity, honesty, and ethical practices

Safe Communities: Support for safety, security and community development initiatives that engage tenants in taking pride in, and responsibility for, their communities

Service: Striving to provide the highest possible quality of service, responsive to the needs of our tenants and applicants, and provided in both official languages

Tenant Empowerment: Respect for the strengths and talents of tenants as partners within the community; fostering a sense of belonging, and facilitating effective tenant involvement in OCH decisions and directions

Communities

Board of Directors

City Of Ottawa Members:

• Mayor/Maire Larry O’Brien (Ex-Officio)
• Councillor/Conseillère Diane Holmes
• Councillor/Conseiller Alex Cullen
• Councillor/Conseillère Peggy Feltmate
• Councillor/Conseillère Christine Leadman

Community Members:

• Shaun Baron
• Denis Chartrand
• Linda Hoad
• Joanne Lacombe

Tenant Members:

• Sandra Pilote

Ottawa Community Housing CEO:

• Jo-Anne Poirier