what is dream lebreton? (Odenak)
Multifaith Housing Initiative (MHI) was proud and delighted when, on January 20, 2022, the National Capital Commissioned announced Dream LeBreton as the successful proponent to develop the “Library Parcel” of LeBreton Flats.
This project will build over 600 new residential rental units -- 247 of them affordable -- in two towers at 665 Albert Street, between Ottawa’s future Ādisōke main public library and the Pimisi LRT station.
Dream LeBreton is a partnership between the socially and environmentally focused Dream group members Dream Asset Management Corporation and Dream Impact Master LP, and MHI.
The community has been officially named "Odenak" the Algonquin word for village.
This project will build over 600 new residential rental units -- 247 of them affordable -- in two towers at 665 Albert Street, between Ottawa’s future Ādisōke main public library and the Pimisi LRT station.
Dream LeBreton is a partnership between the socially and environmentally focused Dream group members Dream Asset Management Corporation and Dream Impact Master LP, and MHI.
The community has been officially named "Odenak" the Algonquin word for village.
MHI will own and operate 133 of the affordable units, ranging from 1-3 bedrooms. These affordable units will serve the priority populations identified in Canada’s National Housing Strategy: Algonquin and other Indigenous peoples, veterans, recent immigrants, women and children, and adults with cognitive disabilities. The two buildings, which will be 30 and 35 storeys, will include a mix of affordable and market units and will have a gathering circle located prominently between them.
This project offers a multitude of special features. 31% of the 600+ units will be accessible, and both the amenities and public realm will be barrier-free and accessible. Once built, Dream LeBreton will be Canada’s largest residential zero-carbon development, employing wastewater energy and solar power-generating systems. The design concept also incorporates LEED Gold Standards for maximum energy efficiency and sustainability.
The Dream LeBreton community will feature retail space, including a food retailer, café, and health services, plus services such as daycare, a bicycle maintenance shop and a community hub serving diverse needs. There will also be a large outdoor public space that is socially inclusive, and hundreds of parking spots for bikes -- 600 of them indoors.
This project offers a multitude of special features. 31% of the 600+ units will be accessible, and both the amenities and public realm will be barrier-free and accessible. Once built, Dream LeBreton will be Canada’s largest residential zero-carbon development, employing wastewater energy and solar power-generating systems. The design concept also incorporates LEED Gold Standards for maximum energy efficiency and sustainability.
The Dream LeBreton community will feature retail space, including a food retailer, café, and health services, plus services such as daycare, a bicycle maintenance shop and a community hub serving diverse needs. There will also be a large outdoor public space that is socially inclusive, and hundreds of parking spots for bikes -- 600 of them indoors.
“I think it’s going to be the heartbeat of this city. The kind of community we’re building, I would like to see a model for the country.” - Suzanne Le, MHI Executive Director, Ottawa Citizen, January 20, 2022
Building Community and Creating Connection
As always with our projects, community is central to the Dream LeBreton plan. Some of the programming will be designed to bring together affordable and market-rate tenants, in furtherance of the team’s overall goal to create a thriving, plural community.
This will potentially include:
The Dream Community Foundation is pledging $150,000 annually, over 20 years, to support these programs and services.
As well, an MHI Tenant Relations Committee will be formed, having a mandate, among other outcomes, of contributing towards a positive life experience for tenants and facilitating neighbourly relations. This may include supporting tenants on issues such as immigration and settlement, housing loss prevention and maintenance issues.
This will potentially include:
- tutoring and tutoring-related scholarships for qualified tenant children
- Breakfast club and after-school programming, including healthy snacks, reading and games
- adult skills classes and free fitness classes for qualified tenants
The Dream Community Foundation is pledging $150,000 annually, over 20 years, to support these programs and services.
As well, an MHI Tenant Relations Committee will be formed, having a mandate, among other outcomes, of contributing towards a positive life experience for tenants and facilitating neighbourly relations. This may include supporting tenants on issues such as immigration and settlement, housing loss prevention and maintenance issues.
“What’s exciting for us is the community we’re going to build — yoga classes, knitting clubs, homework clubs and sports clubs — all the programs we offer, will be for everyone — all units — and not just for MHI's owned and operated units.”
- Suzanne Le, MHI Executive Director, Ottawa Citizen, October 27, 2022
Positive Development Impacts
As an impact investor, aiming to generate positive social and environmental impacts in their developments, Dream has committed to strong social and workforce benefits, including:
Part of the Toronto-based Dream group of real estate companies:
The Dream LeBreton partners acknowledge the longstanding relationship of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation and its people that are the traditional care takers of this unceded and not surrendered territory.
- 15 percent of the overall value of contracts going to vendors at least 50% owned or managed by people from equity-seeking groups -- ie, communities that have faced significant collective challenges in participating in society -- including 5% to Algonquin and other Indigenous businesses
- 50 percent of contracts going to vendors at least 50% owned or managed in the National Capital Region; including 5% to Algonquin and other Indigenous businesses
- 100% of all art commissioned to equity-seeking groups
- 20 percent of onsite employment hours going to equity-seeking groups
Part of the Toronto-based Dream group of real estate companies:
- Dream Impact Trust is Canada’s first and only publicly traded impact investing vehicle dedicated to developing real estate assets to build sustainable and inclusive communities
- Dream Impact Fund is one of the world’s first open-ended private funds dedicated exclusively to impact investing – intended to generate measurable and beneficial social and environmental impacts.
The Dream LeBreton partners acknowledge the longstanding relationship of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation and its people that are the traditional care takers of this unceded and not surrendered territory.
