BERNARD COUCHMAN PUTS HOUSING SECURITY AND AFFORDABILITY ON THE AGENDA FOR SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3, 2026 — Ottawa, Ontario
Single-parent households deserve a municipal system that recognizes the realities of raising a family while managing the cost of housing, transportation and everyday life.
Bernard Couchman, Candidate for Mayor of Ottawa, is bringing forward a Municipal Re-Engineering Plan that examines how Ottawa can use its existing assets, improve affordability and expand housing opportunities.
The plan's housing and affordability framework includes:
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Housing security: Explore converting suitable, underused municipal buildings into residential housing, including mixed-use opportunities.
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A pathway to homeownership: Examine the proposed First Access initiative, including a proposed $5,000 capital payment, property-tax deferral and utility-insulation credits. These are campaign proposals requiring financial, legal and eligibility review—not existing City benefits.
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Affordability: Review how municipal services, facilities and available resources can become more accessible to residents facing financial pressure.
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Economic opportunity: Put appropriate underused municipal spaces to work, supporting local businesses, employment and stronger neighbourhood economies.
The campaign will examine how these proposals could better serve single-parent households, including parents balancing work, childcare responsibilities and the cost of raising children.
“Families need more than promises. They need practical pathways to stability, opportunity and a city that makes better use of the resources it already has. We must understand the pressures people face, identify what Ottawa can do, and measure the results.”
Couchman's approach is built around a clear principle: use public assets responsibly, protect essential services and measure the value created for residents.
BERNARD COUCHMAN
Candidate for Mayor of Ottawa — 2026
KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE. PUT IT TO WORK. MEASURE THE RESULT.
H2OBoy.