Kanata, Nepean sites chosen as the best places for migrant sprung structures

The City of Ottawa is proposing up to two locations for semi-permanent structures that will support migrants and asylum seekers on their first few months in Canada.

A release from the municipality states that construction will begin at the primary location of 1645 Woodroffe Ave., on the federally-owned Nepean Sportsplex property. The secondary site at 40 Hearst Way, on part of the Eagleson Park and Ride, is dependent on future funding.

The Kanata location received swift backlash from the public, according to an online petition.

“It’s a well-known fact that shelters often experience significant challenges associated with infrastructure and safety protocols, which could potentially disrupt the harmony of mature neighbourhoods and compromise the quality of life of local residents,” the petition signed (as of Nov. 11) by almost 8,000 people reads.

The sprung structure debate has been ongoing for several months as the city looked at the best areas for the shelters. The announcement of a shortlist of locations followed stiff opposition from both Barrhaven councillors, David Hill and Wilson Lo, for one proposed originally at Greenbank Road and Highbury Park Drive.

“Our goal is to provide newcomers with a welcoming environment where they receive the essential on-site services needed to transition smoothly to more permanent housing,” the release reads. “While we recognize this solution is not perfect, it is an important first step in the settlement and integration process. We are committed to working closely with residents and community partners to ensure this project fosters collaboration and supports our shared objective of helping everyone find long-term and permanent housing.”

These structures, which the city is calling “Newcomer Reception Centres,” are not permanent, in an effort to maximize efficiency and have them up and supporting newcomers as soon as possible. Tensile membrane structures, or thin shell-like structures, can still be customizable with windows, corridors, and separate rooms, to help meet newcomers’ needs. They also help to reduce costs while the municipality waits for further funding.

The city has been in discussions with Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada for over a year to secure federal funding to create a permanent and sustainable newcomer welcome and reception system in Ottawa.  

The city will request formal commitment for funding once the final sites and building plans are confirmed.

These reception centres will be built with the goal of relieving some of the strain on the shelter system, which currently supports 600 adult newcomers, accounting for 60 per cent of clients. After Toronto, Ottawa is the largest site of refuge for newcomers in Ontario. It was also ranked seventh on the list of receiving newcomers across Canada, according to the 2021 Census.

According to the city, 18 per cent of its population was born outside of Canada, nearly half of which are recent immigrants or asylum seekers.

With the cost of living crisis plaguing the country, represented by high interest rates, it is nearly impossible for these newcomers to find safe and affordable housing. The two proposed centres will have the capacity to shelter up to 300 people combined and newcomers can stay up to 90 days.

The reception centres are part of the city’s larger strategy to house newcomers, including building more brick and mortar transitional housing. The city is also working to build new affordable housing to help all residents. The city reported that in 2023 alone 716 new housing options, 106 new affordable and supportive housing units and 610 new housing benefits were built or delivered.

But as of August, the city had only met 22 per cent of its 2024 housing target; it would need to reach 80 per cent to be eligible for provincial funding.

The proposed centres will provide on-site services to meet the unique needs of newcomers. They will also offer services to effectively transition into the greater Ottawa community. The sites were also selected with transit availability, walkability and the Neighbourhood Equity Index in mind.

In a memo to council, General Manager of Community and Social Services Clara Freire said that next steps include obtaining necessary approvals from the National Capital Commission, zoning and site plan applications.

Pending funding, the centres are expected to open by the end of 2025.

With files from CityNews Ottawa’s Natasha O’Neill.