McLeod Street Halfway House project meets resistance from area neighbours
Posted Jun 2, 2017 10:26:54 AM.
Last Updated Jun 12, 2017 12:43:34 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – A new residence that will house federal offenders is causing a stir among neighbors in the Golden Triangle.
A halfway house has been purchased by House of Hope on McLeod Street, which is located just blocks away from Elgin Street Public School and one street over from St. Luke’s Park.
The home – the fourth of its kind in the Centretown neighborhood – would hold up to 10 federal offenders who would be on early parole after committing crimes that range from break and enter, to fraud, and even aggravated assault.
According to the CBC, one area resident was sexually assaulted decades ago by a man who was recently released from prison – that story sits atop a long list of reasons why people around this street don’t want this type of home in their neighborhood.
Somerset Ward Councillor Catherine McKenney says she supports the home and she’s never heard of any issues at the other three in her ward.
Meanwhile, Ottawa Police Sgt. Reno Rushford, the head of the Ottawa Police High-Offender Section, says the men in these homes are usually on their best behavior.
House of Hope’s own statistics show that over the last 13 years, only 1.4 per cent of its clients at 32 Gilmour Street (another halfway house location in the city located a handful of blocks away) were returned to federal prison for committing a new offence.
Nonetheless, a group of neighbors in the ward have said they will take legal action against the city if the project goes ahead.
