Barrhaven, Alta Vista shortlisted for tent-like shelters, councillors say

Temporary tent-like structures to house hundreds of asylum seekers in Ottawa could appear in Alta Vista or Barrhaven by the end of next summer, city councillors for those wards say.

The city plans on building two "Sprung Structures" — the trademark name of one company that could potentially provide the shelters — each with capacity for 150 asylum seekers. They would be part of what the city has referred to as a "welcome and stabilizing centre" for asylum seekers upon their arrival in Canada.

The structures resemble large sports domes and will include private rooms, showers and possibly kitchens, and could also provide space for the delivery of social services.

Where there'll go has been a matter of fierce debate and conjecture, but the city has now narrowed the list down to three potential locations.

Alta Vista Coun. Marty Carr announced on Monday that a site in her ward is among the shortlisted options. It's located in an industrial area at the corner of St. Laurent Boulevard and Innes Road. 

"I voted in favour of these proposals and will not oppose it in my ward," Carr wrote on her website.

"We already have these people in our community … and it's [a] much more humane way than for people to be living in an aging community centre," she later told CBC. 

Some of those community centres that have been transformed into overflow shelters are in Carr's ward. Heron Road Community Centre currently houses some 200 newcomers, and Carr said more arrive every day.

"They arrive in Ubers, they arrive in taxis and they arrive with two suitcases. We need a place to receive them," she said.

Barrhaven councillors opposed

Barrhaven East Coun. Wilson Lo told CBC another potential site is in Barrhaven, though he didn't specify where. Lo opposes the idea.

"It's not really about the site, it's not really about the technology or the type of structure that we're using. It's just the argument that our money can go so much further," he said. 

The city has submitted a $105-million funding request to the federal government to pay for the facility and its operation. That amount includes a request of $32.6 million to cover capital costs.

Lo said he'd rather see that money go toward longer-term solutions, such as the 41-unit residence build in Kitchener-Waterloo for women experiencing homelessness. 

"These temporary structures and Sprung Structures are not the way to do it because it really is just adding to the shelter system," he said. "This cycle will just start all over."

At council last week, Lo and Barrhaven West Coun. David Hill tried and failed to derail the plan.

"The problem is a difficult, heart-wrenching problem," Hill said. "I don't think anybody doesn't want to try and find the right solution — I'm just concerned that the solution being proposed here is less optimal than what we could be."

City staff began looking at 93 potential sites, narrowing that list down to 10 and eventually three. They considered a range of criteria including easy access to public transit.