Federal government looking to turn Alta Vista public property into housing

The federal government is looking to redevelop a piece of public property in Alta Vista. Aug. 14, 2023. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

The federal government is now accepting applications to turn an 18-acre government-owned property on Heron Road into housing.

According to a news release from Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, the government is currently accepting requests to redevelop the Alta Vista property, which they expect will accommodate approximately 1,100 homes.

“This project is about more than building homes—it’s about building hope. By leveraging public land and modern construction methods, we’re setting a new standard for speed, affordability, and sustainability in Canadian housing,” CEO of Build Canada Homes Ana Bailão said in the news release.

The Canada Lands Company says the redevelopment of the site at 1495 Heron Road will be overseen and led by Build Canada Homes, a recently established federal agency geared at increasing affordable housing in the country.

The property was purchased by the Government of Canada in 1973 to be used as a Federal Study Centre. Canada Lands Company, a Crown corporation responsible for managing properties for the government, says it acquired the site in 2020 to guide its redevelopment.

The property was among 22 public lands in Ottawa added to the Canada Public Land Bank and made available for redevelopment in 2024.

“Build Canada Homes marks a turning point in how we deliver affordable housing in Canada,” Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Gregor Robertson said.

“By combining bold investments with innovative construction methods and strategic partnerships, we’re not just building homes—we’re building communities, and the 1495 Heron Road property is an example of this. Every Canadian no matter where they live deserves housing that is accessible, sustainable, and built for the future.”

According to the Canada Lands Company, three buildings have already been removed from the site, and two will be repurposed.

The government says some existing buildings on the site will be repurposed to “to honour their historical significance, blending heritage with innovation.”

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