CCOC 50th Anniversary

CCOC has been proudly housing the community since 1974. In 1975, we bought our first building with only $500 in our bank account. Today, we own and manage more than 60 properties that provide 1700 units of affordable housing to Ottawa residents.

In 2024, we celebrated 50 years of creating, maintaining and promoting affordable housing. Check out our timeline below to see how far we have come!

To mark our 50th birthday, we hosted a community celebration. We celebrated this monumental anniversary with a community BBQ, a drag performance, speeches and cake, and dunking our Executive Director in a dunk tank! It was a wonderful event to celebrate CCOC’s past and future and demonstrate how wonderful the CCOC and Centretown community truly is. Thank you to everyone who joined in the festivities!

50th Anniversary edition CCOC t-shirts and Anniversary books are still available for purchase at the front desk by cash or debit only.  All photos from the event are now public on our Facebook.

We thank our sponsors for helping us to make this celebration happen:

MBC

CSV Architects

Soloway Wright lawyers

Massine's Your Independent Grocer

Figurr architects collective

Hobin Architecture

Preston Hardware

 

 

 

 

 


CCOC’s first 50 years:

1974
CCOC was incorporated July 31, 1974.
CCOC was incorporated July 31, 1974.
1975
With $500 in the bank we bought our first property at 530 – 544 McLeod.
With $500 in the bank we bought our first property at 530 – 544 McLeod.
1976
We hired our first employee, a Program Coordinator.
We hired our first employee, a Program Coordinator.
1977
We held our first AGM in the living room of 100 Flora.
We held our first AGM in the living room of 100 Flora.
1978
We bought 258 Lisgar, hired two new employees, and opened an office.
We bought 258 Lisgar, hired two new employees, and opened an office.
1979
We opened 50 James. Our first new build, and our first rooftop planters.
We opened 50 James. Our first new build, and our first rooftop planters.
1980
165 homes
1981
We expanded to Lebreton Flats at Albert, Rochester and Booth.
We expanded to Lebreton Flats at Albert, Rochester and Booth.
1982
We bought 345 Waverley, our first “singles” building of bachelor and one bed units
We bought 345 Waverley, our first “singles” building of bachelor and one bed units
1983
The daycare opened at 258 Lisgar, providing childcare to Centretown families.
The daycare opened at 258 Lisgar, providing childcare to Centretown families.
1984
We started construction on 210 Gloucester in partnership with the City.
We started construction on 210 Gloucester in partnership with the City.
1985
We bought 163 James. Our first self-funded purchase and our first rooming house.
We bought 163 James. Our first self-funded purchase and our first rooming house.
1986
We expanded to Sandy Hill with the construction of 20 Robinson.
We expanded to Sandy Hill with the construction of 20 Robinson.
1987
The federal government devolved housing to the province.
1988
We expanded to Overbrook and built our first (and only) co-op at 240 Presland.
We expanded to Overbrook and built our first (and only) co-op at 240 Presland.
1989
We expanded to Lowertown at 110 Nelson.
We expanded to Lowertown at 110 Nelson.
1990
744 homes
1991
We opened 147 Hinchey, 264 Lisgar and 10 Stevens.
We opened 147 Hinchey, 264 Lisgar and 10 Stevens.
1992
We got the long-coveted Alexandra Hotel site and built 415 Gilmour.
We got the long-coveted Alexandra Hotel site and built 415 Gilmour.
1993
We opened 511 Bronson, 145 Clarence, 151 Parkdale, and 258 Argyle.
We opened 511 Bronson, 145 Clarence, 151 Parkdale, and 258 Argyle.
1994
We broke ground on 455 Lisgar. This would be our last provincially funded building.
We broke ground on 455 Lisgar. This would be our last provincially funded building.
1995
The province (Mike Harris) cancelled all social housing funding programs.
The province (Mike Harris) cancelled all social housing funding programs.
1996
CCOC’s sister corporation, Cahdco, was created with the goal of promoting and creating affordable housing development.
CCOC’s sister corporation, Cahdco, was created with the goal of promoting and creating affordable housing development.
1997
CCOC hosted a city-wide tenant forum, encouraging people to ‘vote non-profit housing’.
CCOC hosted a city-wide tenant forum, encouraging people to ‘vote non-profit housing’.
1998
We purchased our first post-Harris homes at 143-145 Eccles.
We purchased our first post-Harris homes at 143-145 Eccles.
1999
Our 25th anniversary! We planted a tree in Dundonald Park.
Our 25th anniversary! We planted a tree in Dundonald Park.
2000
1254 homes
2001
We rehabilitated the old Stirling Tavern – a former biker bar – into housing.
We rehabilitated the old Stirling Tavern – a former biker bar – into housing.
2002
We expanded to Carlington with Merivale/Mayview.
We expanded to Carlington with Merivale/Mayview.
2003
Sale of Cahdco’s first project – non-profit home ownership at Clarence Gate began.
Sale of Cahdco’s first project – non-profit home ownership at Clarence Gate began.
2004
CCOC hosts a bus tour to celebrate our 30th anniversary.
CCOC hosts a bus tour to celebrate our 30th anniversary.
2005
We built our furthest outlying property at 1138-1140 Richmond.
We built our furthest outlying property at 1138-1140 Richmond.
2006
The CCOC Board created a plan to prioritize sustainability.
The CCOC Board created a plan to prioritize sustainability.
2007
CCOC won the Beaver Barracks site and started on our greenest and largest development.
CCOC won the Beaver Barracks site and started on our greenest and largest development.
2008
CCOC received a grant to develop tenant education and outreach on sustainability.
CCOC received a grant to develop tenant education and outreach on sustainability.
2009
CCOC received ONPHA’s Going Green Award.
CCOC received ONPHA’s Going Green Award.
2010
1301 homes
In 2010, we opened phase 1 of Beaver Barracks and bought 54 Primrose.
In 2010, we opened phase 1 of Beaver Barracks and bought 54 Primrose.
2011
We paid off our first mortgage, for 530-544 McLeod.
We paid off our first mortgage, for 530-544 McLeod.
2012
We opened phase 2 of Beaver Barracks and the Victory Gardens.
We opened phase 2 of Beaver Barracks and the Victory Gardens.
2013
We paid off the mortgage for 258 Lisgar.
We paid off the mortgage for 258 Lisgar.
2014
Cahdco 2.0 is launched. It becomes a development consultant at scale.
Cahdco 2.0 is launched. It becomes a development consultant at scale.
2015
CCOC begins its first fee for service maintenance agreement.
CCOC begins its first fee for service maintenance agreement.
2016
We sold 143-145 Eccles to fund the Arlington re-development.
We sold 143-145 Eccles to fund the Arlington re-development.
2017
The federal government created the National Housing Strategy.
2018
We renovated our main office.
We renovated our main office.
2019
The redevelopment at 143-153 Arlington opened.
The redevelopment at 143-153 Arlington opened.
2020
The COVID-19 pandemic forced us to move online. We began dedicating resources to anti-racist organizational change.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced us to move online. We began dedicating resources to anti-racist organizational change.
1591 homes
2021
CCOC received a large grant to improve and promote our volunteer program.
CCOC received a large grant to improve and promote our volunteer program.
2022
CCOC merged with Taiga at 2100 Scott, adding 106 homes to our portfolio.
CCOC merged with Taiga at 2100 Scott, adding 106 homes to our portfolio.
2023
We lost the co-op at 240 Presland to fire. We opened a new building at 159 Forward.
We lost the co-op at 240 Presland to fire. We opened a new building at 159 Forward.
2024
CCOC turns 50!
1705 homes