October 1, 2026 Housing Advisory Board

The October 1, 2026, miOttawa Housing Advisory Board meeting focused primarily on restructuring and relaunching the county’s revolving housing loan fund with IFF. Staff described flexible interest rates of roughly 3%–6.5%, depending on project needs, and potential financing for predevelopment, gap or mezzanine loans, and bridge financing for awards reimbursed later. The fund, supported by a reported $33 million county investment, would continue to support rental housing while placing greater emphasis on attainable for-sale homes. Staff also discussed simplifying applications and underwriting, testing a loan-product prototype with developers by the end of the year, and working with municipalities on zoning and other conditions that affect housing costs. No loan awards, contracts, or procurement approvals were voted on at this meeting.

Members discussed possible county-owned land for a housing pilot, the need for separate grant funding to help municipalities with planning, and ways to improve awareness of homebuyer assistance, including grants of up to $10,000 mentioned by a credit-union representative. The board also voted to recommend adding parent/housing-advocacy representation; members raised the need to clarify county residency expectations and board size, with staff to seek policy clarification. The meeting concluded with November 5 identified as the target date for the next meeting.