Where senior artists are considered, connected, community

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A NEW RESIDENCE FOR PAL OTTAWA

Housing artists and arts workers affordably

Creating a vibrant seniors arts community

PAL Ottawa will explore new collaborations in 2026 to fulfill its mission of providing affordable housing for local senior artists and arts workers. Based on a proven model, PAL Ottawa follows in the footsteps of established PALs in Toronto, Vancouver, and Stratford. Our mission is to meet the needs of senior artists and arts workers in the National Capital Region by providing affordable housing, support services, and artistic opportunities.

How to Apply

All professional artists and arts workers are encouraged to apply using our online application form.

Please review PAL Ottawa’s definition of ‘professional artist and arts worker’ before you apply. (link to FAQ entry). Contact us at outreach@palottawa.org if you’d like to go over the details of your eligibility.

Once you’ve applied, PAL Ottawa will confirm the receipt of your application and add you to the Applicants’ Corner newsletter (pending your consent), to keep you in the loop when the selection process begins in 2026.

Please know, your application is not binding and does not commit you to accepting an apartment, if offered. The option to decline a unit is available, should your circumstances change.

If you have previously applied and your status or information has since changed, or if you have any questions, let us know by emailing outreach@palottawa.org.

Apply Now

“Affordable housing for arts workers has always been an issue and it keeps getting more dire with each passing year, as rents increase and salaries in a precarious industry stay stagnant. With the living and performance space PAL will provide, we can make the arts, and arts workers, a vital part of the community.”

Lynn Miles — Juno Award-winning singer/songwriter

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is eligible to apply to live at PAL Place?

Individuals are eligible to apply for PAL Place units if they meet the following criteria:

-They are a professional artist or arts worker*
-They can live independently
-They qualify based on income levels and citizenship requirements set out by Ottawa Community Housing
-They qualify according to the Ottawa Housing Registry
-Artists and arts workers of all ages are welcome to apply; however, applicants 55 years of age and older will be given priority.

*Please review our FAQ titled "How does PAL Ottawa define a professional artist and arts worker?”.

People with disabilities are welcome and encouraged to apply. Please see the FAQ titled, "Can I apply if I have a disability?”.

We encourage applications from anyone interested to generate a waiting list for units when demand for new tenants is warranted.
How does PAL Ottawa define a professional artist and arts worker?
A professional artist or arts worker is an individual who has become established as an artist or arts worker in any discipline, or in an associated occupation and can be described under one of these categories:
1. Professional artist (or professional artisan):
  
  An illustrative list of artistic professions includes: painter, illustrator, printmaker, sculptor, art photographer, street artist, designer, animation artist, video artist, performance artist, architect, musician, conductor, singer, songwriter, actor, playwright, comedy artist, puppeteer, story-teller, street theatre artist, slam poet, scriptwriter, designer, writer, novelist, comic artist, poet, novelist, humourist, dancer, choreographer, fiction writer, caricaturist.
2. Technical professional:
  
  An illustrative list of technical professions includes: cameraman, gaffer/lighting technician, sound recorder, set design artist, sound design artist, make-up artist, motion graphics artist, costume designer, editor, visual effects artist.
3. Specialized professional in the arts:
  
  An illustrative list of specialized professions in the arts includes: art conservator, curator, art critic/journalist/researcher, art educator, arts producer, tuner of music instruments, art director, manufacturer and maintainer of music instruments, archivist, translator.
4. Entertainer:
  
  An illustrative list of entertainers includes: musician, dancer, singer, fashion model, fire-breather, pyrotechnic artist, magician, circus artist, spoken word artist or other performing artist.
To demonstrate this, the artist/artisan:
- May have specialized training in their artistic field/allied arts profession. Training may include academic instruction, apprenticeship or mentoring in any applied arts field or allied occupation.
- Is recognized as a professional by establishing a reputation of artistic/ professional merit, as judged by peers, through a record of exhibitions, public commissions, sale of works or educational attainment.
- Receives or has received compensation for their work, including but not limited to: sales; fees; commissions; royalties; residuals; grants and awards, any of which may reasonably be included as professional or business income.
Can I apply if I have a disability?

PAL Place is designed to be fully accessible, with 22 of the 86 apartment units designated for people with disabilities who are capable of independent living.
Does PAL Place have accommodations for individuals with visual impairments?

The design for PAL Place accommodates individuals who have visual impairments. In keeping with the standards of OCH buildings, every floor and all amenity rooms are labelled, which includes Braille. Braille is also standard within the elevators. Additional items include audible communication at the building’s main entrance system, and elevators, with power door operators in barrier-free paths of travel and universal washrooms.
If I am on Ottawa's Social Housing Registry waitlist, can I also apply to PAL Ottawa?

The answer is yes. In fact, as of 2025, the City of Ottawa has requires ALL PAL Place applicants to register with the Ottawa Housing Registry in order to be eligible to live at PAL Place. Please consult our step-by-step document at this link in order to guide you through the Registry application.
Do I need to be a member of PAL Ottawa in order to apply?

No
How can I ask questions to PAL Ottawa about my interest in applying or my applicant information that may change after I submit my application?

Please email outreach@palottawa.org with any queries directly related to an application to PAL Ottawa for residence at PAL Place. This includes inquiries BEFORE you apply, AFTER you submit your application. If you have general inquiries about PAL Ottawa, contact us at info@palottawa.org.
How do I apply?

Please first review the application to determine if you meet the criteria as a professional artist or arts worker. If you qualify, then continue to fill out the application form available on our website in both English and French.
Click here to view the application form!
What happens after I send in my application?

Sending in the application via the PAL Ottawa website is step one in the process. Your application will be reviewed by PAL Ottawa. PAL Ottawa will contact the applicant by email or phone, per contact information provided on the application form during the process. Alternatively, an applicant can always contact PAL Ottawa via email at outreach@palottawa.org to update information on their application.
What is PAL Ottawa?

PAL Ottawa is a volunteer-driven, non-profit, charitable organization that provides affordable housing, personal services and well-being programs to artists and art workers in the National Capital Region. We care for artists so they can sustainably create art that enriches all our lives.