Housing study forecasts 344 new Ottawa-area homes over five years; city staff say utilities and land can accommodate growth

City staff presented Ottawa-specific findings from the Franklin County 2025–2029 housing demand assessment, completed by Next Move Group, and asked the commission to receive and file the report.

Director Jason Neece said the report projects a five-year need for 344 new homes across several price bands, a shift from 44 new-home permits in the previous year to an annualized expectation closer to about 65 permits per year if the projection materializes. Neece said the city can accommodate the projected growth from a utilities and land-availability perspective.

The study grouped housing demand by price and rent bands. Next Move Group projected demand in lower-price owner/rental bands (for example, sale-price bands roughly $200,000–$275,000 with associated rents cited in the report) and larger numbers at higher price tiers, together totaling 344 units over five years. Commissioners asked for clarification about how the report matched sale-price bands to rental bands; Director Neece and staff said they would follow up and also plan to invite Paul Bean of Next Move Group to present a fuller countywide briefing.

Neece stressed the study's practical role: it provides actionable information for staff, the commission and the development community and is required for some state grants and economic-development tools. No formal funding decisions were made at the meeting; the commission agreed to receive the study for staff and public review and suggested a follow-up presentation by the report author for additional detail.