He said that Ottawa has all kinds of industry, but not enough places for people to live. Communities that focus strictly on industry run the risk of becoming a commercial-only community. We don't want that to happen in Ottawa. Rental housing, although not nearly as profitable for banks and real estate agents, could play a significant role in having more people make Ottawa their home. The survey indicated an even greater demand for rental housing.
Renters seek many of the same things in a home and a hometown as homeowners.
Renters want recreational opportunities, a safe environment, affordable and quality health care and day care, good schools, cultural offerings and a sense of community. They choose their housing option for a variety of reasons. Each living unit in the new Fairway Vista development will be 900 to 1,100 square feet and have two bedrooms and two baths. Those are some of the top amenities, along with a basement and microwave oven, that most renters in the survey said they are willing to pay for. Many of the owners are expected to live in one side of the duplex and rent out the other side.