The City of Ottawa will construct a new 54-unit seniors apartment building with financial help from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

A four-storey structure will be built in Nepean, a former municipality now incorporated into Ottawa. CMHC, a federal Crown Corporation, will provide $18.5 million under its $4-billion Rapid Housing Initiative, which supports Canada’s most vulnerable people, the parties announced.

The project’s funding will be drawn from the RHI’s $500-million cities stream.

The city and feds are partnering with Ottawa Salus, a Canadian charity that provides housing and support services for people living with mental illness in the nation’s capital. Salus owns buildings and partners with other building owners to provide independent-living environments.

CMHC said the project will provide an opportunity for older adults dealing with mental illness, addictions and homelessness to “age in place.”

The RHI is intended to create 4,500 more affordable-housing units across Canada.