Together, we can
create housing
that is sustainable
and affordable.
Nesting Ground is non-profit that partners with community housing organizations to incubate and level up affordable housing in Canada.
We build affordable housing at scale - at less cost to government.
Nesting Ground brings together non-profit organizations, government, private developers, and private capital to build affordable and sustainable housing at scale. We’ve pioneered a new model that bridges community housing, private capital, and government, using backstop financing to reduce risk for financing partners and unlock government funding for community organizations.
Benefits of Nesting Ground’s Approach
Community Housing Providers gain access to public and private funding opportunities, as well as our years of development experience across private and non-profit affordable sectors
Private Funders gain the confidence that projects will be delivered with reduced capital and operating costs
Government gains an investment opportunity, rather than expenditure. Every $1 of federal investment unlocks $4 of private capital towards affordable housing. The same dollar delivers affordable housing multiple times over.
Projects
Our pipeline consists of over 2,000 units across projects that are ready to activate in 2026. Our team and development partners have long histories in both affordable housing and private sector development, with industry leading expertise in modern methods of construction and sustainability practices.
On every project, Nesting Ground owns and operates the buildings, while our non-profit partners manage day-to-day community life, from resident intake to services and programming. Each project combines non-market and market housing, allowing us to use market revenues to help create and sustain affordable homes.
384 ArlingtonOttawa, ON
This 300 unit rental building will be delivered in partnership with Perley Health, Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition and Operation Come Home.
2475 ReginaOttawa, ON
This three-building condo and rental project includes a new space for Parkway House — a non-profit care facility for people with disabilities requiring 24/7 care.
Board of Directors
Nesting Ground is governed by a board of directors and led by Graeme Hussey, a national expert in affordable housing.
Graeme HusseyBoard President
Graeme Hussey is the Board President of Nesting Ground, where he provides strategic leadership to advance the organization's mission to deliver sustainable, mixed-income affordable housing at scale. A recognized national expert and frequent public speaker, Graeme is widely respected for his ability to help turn ambitious affordable housing goals into real-world delivery.
Graeme currently serves as a member of the Green Municipal Fund (GMF) Council and was on the board of the Housing Services Corporation (HSC). Previously, he was Director of Housing Development at Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation (CCOC) and President of Cahdco, where he led the creation of 1,000+ affordable homes. He also spearheaded Toolbox+ by Cahdco, a national community of practice designed to build sector capacity and accelerate non-profit housing development across Canada.
Martin CoteBoard Director
Martin Coté is a founder and managing member of Bluenose AC Investments Inc., an investment vehicle formed in 2013 to invest in real estate across Canada and the United States. He brings over 20 years of experience across all real estate asset classes in Canada, Europe, and the U.S. Previously, he spent five years in the Czech Republic with RPG Real Estate (BXR Group), overseeing a 12,000-acre land portfolio and investments in Tower Group A.S., a Danish-listed company with 10,000 apartments in Germany, where he also served as CEO and led the group’s U.S. investment strategy. Mr. Coté holds an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business and a Bachelor’s degree from HEC Montréal, and is Chairman of the Board of Pro REIT.
Julie FavreauBoard Director
Julie Favreau is a specialist in real estate finance and development as well as an accomplished lawyer. With her 20 years of experience in the industry, she is known for her multidisciplinary approach that focuses on innovative business models in real estate. Her focus on financing, governance, risk management and public policy in residential and well as commercial real estate makes her one of the leading figures solving the housing crisis in Quebec. She is particularly involved in heritage and religious buildings, ESG fund design as well as real estate pre-development.
Steffan JonesBoard Director
Steffan Jones is an independent housing advisor. Prior to this Steffan was with CMHC for 25 years and most recently Vice President, Business Transformation.
Cyndi Rottenberg-WalkerBoard Director
Consultant, Partner Emerita at Urban Strategies, Inc. Land use planner with experience from campus and community master plans through to development approvals and comprehensive policy studies, Cyndi leads large teams committed to effecting positive change in urban and urbanizing settings at all scales. Known for her skill in motivating diverse groups toward a common purpose, Cyndi understands what it takes to create healthy and enduring urban environments that effectively synthesize public and private interests.
Our Partners
Our strategic partnerships enable Nesting Ground to deliver housing that is sustainable, financially viable, and socially impactful. Together, we’re building communities that put people and planet first - now and for generations to come.
Nesting Ground partners with with private developers on all projects to provide access to the capital and development expertise required to deliver sustainable, affordable housing at scale. Our private developer partners support our team in reducing capital, carrying and operational costs.
We partner with non-profit local community housing providers and support agencies to grow their capacity and scale their impact. Together, we’re able to build affordable, stable homes with meaningful supports.
People
Planet
Partnerships