1245 Kilborn Place Concept Plan

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Public engagement on this project will begin in the fall of 2025. Stay tuned!


Project Background

The City of Ottawa purchased 1245 Kilborn Place in December of 2023 with the goal of broadening the mix of housing types available in our community. The City aims to create a well-designed development on the site that contributes to an affordable, integrated and complete community.

This large property has convenient access to transit and a range of services and amenities nearby which will help people integrate into their new homes. The intention is to develop a community hub that will include supportive housing, other housing types like affordable and market rent units, social and health services, and other complementary uses that will benefit both residents and the wider community.

Creating housing options ensures that everyone can find a place to live. There is an opportunity for this site to contribute to building a livable community with different types of housing to meet the needs of all residents and to address Council’s priority to create a city that is more affordable and is more livable for all.


1245 Kilborn Place

The property at 1245 Kilborn Place is 3.5 hectares (8.7 acres) in size. It contains a three-storey building that was built in 1957 and was previously used as a seminary, offices and residences by the Catholic Church. There are also two small garages.

The property is in the Alta Vista neighbourhood and is within a 10- to 15-minute walk of the Billings Bridge Shopping Centre and the Transitway.


Work Currently Underway

Since purchasing the property, City staff have been working on important background studies to help understand the current supportive housing need in the City, the property and the existing buildings. These studies will give staff and the community the information that is needed to plan for the long-term use of the property. This work includes:

  • Review of supportive housing and community services system to understand the gaps and needs that currently exist
  • Building condition audit to understand the condition of the existing structures
  • Environmental Site Assessment to see whether there is any contamination on the property from previous uses and plan for any remediation that may be required
  • Preliminary Tree Inventory and Environmental Impact Study to understand the condition of existing trees and natural elements currently on the property
  • Developing an engagement plan to ensure meaningful engagement with the housing and homelessness sector, the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition, Indigenous service providers and the public.

Public engagement on the concept plan for the site will begin in fall 2025, once this background review and studies are completed. Key findings from these studies will be shared with the public.


Public Engagement

Throughout the development of the concept plan for 1245 Kilborn Place, City staff will engage the housing and homelessness sector, Indigenous partners and the public on the design and programming of the site.

Members of the community will have opportunities to share their thoughts and ideas on the concept plan. The engagement process will include online and in-person opportunities from approximately fall 2025 to summer 2026. Residents can subscribe for project updates in the Follow Project section.

A report summarizing feedback and input from the engagement process will be developed and made available on Engage Ottawa.


What is Supportive Housing?

A healthy and complete community contains a wide range of housing types. In January 2020, City Council declared a housing emergency, acknowledging the growing need in our community for housing options. Since then, City staff have explored different ways to increase capacity across the housing system and help people find a place to live. Through the City’s 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan, the City encourages the creation of supportive housing as one of these options.

Supportive housing is a housing development that combines rental or housing assistance with on-site, flexible and voluntary support services. These services may take a variety of forms and vary in intensity based on people's needs related to physical or mental health, developmental disabilities and substance use.

Permanent supportive housing, which differs from transitional housing and emergency shelters, provides long-term housing where tenants can live as long as they choose. Residents become members of the community, benefiting from support services to help maintain their housing and well-being.

Public engagement on this project will begin in the fall of 2025. Stay tuned!


Project Background

The City of Ottawa purchased 1245 Kilborn Place in December of 2023 with the goal of broadening the mix of housing types available in our community. The City aims to create a well-designed development on the site that contributes to an affordable, integrated and complete community.

This large property has convenient access to transit and a range of services and amenities nearby which will help people integrate into their new homes. The intention is to develop a community hub that will include supportive housing, other housing types like affordable and market rent units, social and health services, and other complementary uses that will benefit both residents and the wider community.

Creating housing options ensures that everyone can find a place to live. There is an opportunity for this site to contribute to building a livable community with different types of housing to meet the needs of all residents and to address Council’s priority to create a city that is more affordable and is more livable for all.


1245 Kilborn Place

The property at 1245 Kilborn Place is 3.5 hectares (8.7 acres) in size. It contains a three-storey building that was built in 1957 and was previously used as a seminary, offices and residences by the Catholic Church. There are also two small garages.

The property is in the Alta Vista neighbourhood and is within a 10- to 15-minute walk of the Billings Bridge Shopping Centre and the Transitway.


Work Currently Underway

Since purchasing the property, City staff have been working on important background studies to help understand the current supportive housing need in the City, the property and the existing buildings. These studies will give staff and the community the information that is needed to plan for the long-term use of the property. This work includes:

  • Review of supportive housing and community services system to understand the gaps and needs that currently exist
  • Building condition audit to understand the condition of the existing structures
  • Environmental Site Assessment to see whether there is any contamination on the property from previous uses and plan for any remediation that may be required
  • Preliminary Tree Inventory and Environmental Impact Study to understand the condition of existing trees and natural elements currently on the property
  • Developing an engagement plan to ensure meaningful engagement with the housing and homelessness sector, the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition, Indigenous service providers and the public.

Public engagement on the concept plan for the site will begin in fall 2025, once this background review and studies are completed. Key findings from these studies will be shared with the public.


Public Engagement

Throughout the development of the concept plan for 1245 Kilborn Place, City staff will engage the housing and homelessness sector, Indigenous partners and the public on the design and programming of the site.

Members of the community will have opportunities to share their thoughts and ideas on the concept plan. The engagement process will include online and in-person opportunities from approximately fall 2025 to summer 2026. Residents can subscribe for project updates in the Follow Project section.

A report summarizing feedback and input from the engagement process will be developed and made available on Engage Ottawa.


What is Supportive Housing?

A healthy and complete community contains a wide range of housing types. In January 2020, City Council declared a housing emergency, acknowledging the growing need in our community for housing options. Since then, City staff have explored different ways to increase capacity across the housing system and help people find a place to live. Through the City’s 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan, the City encourages the creation of supportive housing as one of these options.

Supportive housing is a housing development that combines rental or housing assistance with on-site, flexible and voluntary support services. These services may take a variety of forms and vary in intensity based on people's needs related to physical or mental health, developmental disabilities and substance use.

Permanent supportive housing, which differs from transitional housing and emergency shelters, provides long-term housing where tenants can live as long as they choose. Residents become members of the community, benefiting from support services to help maintain their housing and well-being.

  • Suggestions

    Though public engagement will begin in the fall of 2025, you can submit your suggestions on the future use of 1245 Kilborn Place and how this property can be designed to provide housing and services for all members of the community.  

    Submit your suggestions
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Page last updated: 28 Feb 2025, 04:28 PM