Your priorities in action: Helping residents where it matters most

From faster emergency response to improved mental health and housing support, we are making steady progress.

This feature story is part of the “Your priorities in action” series, highlighting real progress the City is making on improving daily life in Ottawa and delivering its Term of Council priorities.

Transcript for the "Helping residents where it matters most" video Across Ottawa, we have been making real progress. We have virtually eliminated “level zero” ambulance situations, so when you call 9-1-1, help is on the way. We have expanded Ottawa’s ANCHOR program, so that more communities can access 24/7 mental health and substance use crisis support by calling 2-1-1. And we are supporting families on their path to long-term housing through new transitional housing initiatives – including the newly acquired O’Connor Family Transitional Housing building. We’ll keep listening to what matters to you – and showing up where it matters most.

From faster emergency response to improved mental health and housing support, City staff are working hard to make steady progress that you can see and feel every day. 

A fast response when every second counts

Over the past year, we have significantly improved emergency response times. “Level zero” events – where an ambulance is not available – have been virtually eliminated. This means that when you dial 9-1-1, you can trust that paramedics will be there to answer the call. 

This progress has been supported by a $3.3 million investment through Budget 2026 to hire new paramedics, helping the City achieve this important goal.

Strengthening community mental health support

We are making meaningful progress in providing mental health and substance use crisis support to those who need it. Starting this month, Ottawa’s Alternate Neighbourhood Crisis Response (ANCHOR) program is expanding into several east-end neighbourhoods, including the ByWard Market, Lowertown, Sandy Hill, Lees Towers, Vanier and Overbrook.

A mental health or substance use crisis occurs when a person is highly distressed and may be at risk due to a mental health condition or their substance use. ANCHOR Crisis Response Team members help these individuals by providing intervention, de‑escalation, and support to help prevent harm or worsening.

Building on the success of the ANCHOR pilot program, this expansion responds to growing demand and will ensure that more communities have access to 24/7 community-led, culturally sensitive and equity focused mental health and substance use crisis support when they call 2-1-1. 

Supporting families on their path to long-term housing

The City is expanding access to family transitional housing, including transforming a former hotel at 377 O’Connor Street into more than 120 new family transitional housing units designed specifically to help families move forward.

In addition to supporting families in crisis, the transformation of this building will significantly reduce reliance on overflow hotels – with estimated savings of up to $2.5 million annually – helping the City in its goal of supporting residents while limiting pressure on taxpayers.

These are just a few of the ways the City is taking action to improve life in Ottawa. We will keep listening to what matters to you and showing up where it matters most.

Background: “Your priorities in action” series

Over the past three years, the City of Ottawa has been focused on delivering its 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, turning priorities into results that residents can see and feel every day.

To support the implementation of the plan, the City launched Your city, your ideas: City of Ottawa Service Reviews in 2023, inviting residents to share ideas on how to improve services and find efficiencies. Since then, the City has received thousands of ideas and is making real progress in improving residents’ day-to-day lives. This series is focused on sharing some of these ideas and initiatives.