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 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.
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.
Wouldn’t normal housing be more beneficial to literally everyone and everything?