Shelters and Transitional Housing Projects

[lrt's friend]

Originally Posted by DTcrawler

When are suburban wards going to start pulling their weight on this kind of stuff? Urban wards can only handle so much…

Putting homeless people in the suburbs where there are no services solves nothing. It could make things worse.

But, I also remind you about pulling weight, that there is already a lot of low income housing in many suburban neighbourhoods, more than you would expect. Just look at Herongate, Hog's Back, Elmvale, and many more locations. Transitional housing is another matter, and that requires adequate supports that are only available in Centretown.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by DTcrawler

When are suburban wards going to start pulling their weight on this kind of stuff? Urban wards can only handle so much…

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

Putting homeless people in the suburbs where there are no services solves nothing. It could make things worse.

But, I also remind you about pulling weight, that there is already a lot of low income housing in many suburban neighbourhoods, more than you would expect. Just look at Herongate, Hog's Back, Elmvale, and many more locations. Transitional housing is another matter, and that requires adequate supports that are only available in Centretown.

Suburbs do have affordable and social housing (well, mostly inner-city suburbs, outer Greenbelt suburbs), and they have taken on a bit more housing first projects, but the homelessness issue continues to be the burden of the core almost exclusively.

It's true that the suburbs don't have the same services, but that is solvable by... providing the services in the suburbs as well.

[DTcrawler]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

Putting homeless people in the suburbs where there are no services solves nothing. It could make things worse.

It creates a level playing field. No more people running off to live in the burbs to escape the addiction crisis. Downtown residents didn’t create the problem - it’s a shared city wide issue. So let’s share the issue.

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

But, I also remind you about pulling weight, that there is already a lot of low income housing in many suburban neighbourhoods, more than you would expect. Just look at Herongate, Hog's Back, Elmvale, and many more locations. Transitional housing is another matter, and that requires adequate supports that are only available in Centretown.

Why do such supports need to only be available in Centretown? Why can’t we open a safe injection site in Findlay creek to go along with a newly built transitional housing project? Oh that’s right, because residents and councillors would never let that happen. Suburbanites love to pretend to care about addicts, as long as they stay downtown and out of sight from the burbs. As for low income housing like Herongate, etc, there’s a big difference between low income predominantly immigrant families living mostly peacefully and trying to build a better life in Canada, and career criminal junkies taking advantage of an overly-tolerant system while making daily life more challenging for neighbours.

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

Putting homeless people in the suburbs where there are no services solves nothing. It could make things worse.

But, I also remind you about pulling weight, that there is already a lot of low income housing in many suburban neighbourhoods, more than you would expect. Just look at Herongate, Hog's Back, Elmvale, and many more locations. Transitional housing is another matter, and that requires adequate supports that are only available in Centretown.

That is true. We have low income housing in Blackburn Hamlet. I live close to it.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

Putting homeless people in the suburbs where there are no services solves nothing. It could make things worse.

But, I also remind you about pulling weight, that there is already a lot of low income housing in many suburban neighbourhoods, more than you would expect. Just look at Herongate, Hog's Back, Elmvale, and many more locations. Transitional housing is another matter, and that requires adequate supports that are only available in Centretown.

"A lot" seems like a stretch. Yes there is some.
That said that's how it works in general. Of course suburbanites will block shelters in their area and why wouldn't they. Downtown councilors block anything new as well.

[rocketphish]

City to consider 'community impact' before approving new supportive housing projects
Ninety per cent of the $176.3 million Ottawa is to receive from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund will be used to build more non-profit housing.

Blair Crawford, Ottawa Citizen
Published Apr 03, 2024 • Last updated 17 hours ago • 2 minute read

With a massive infusion of federal money on the way to build more affordable and supportive housing in Ottawa, city councillors want to make sure the city considers the social effects of those projects on the surrounding community.

Councillors voted 17-7 in favour of a motion that requires the city’s director of housing services to “consider the cumulative effect and community impact” of supportive housing projects before allocating funds for them.

Ninety per cent of the $176.3 million the city is to receive from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund will be used to build more non-profit housing, with 26 projects and properties already identified by the city as priorities. Ottawa declared a “housing emergency” in 2020.

One of those 26 projects is a Shepherds of Good Hope residence on Merivale Road in Carlington, on the same block as three other Shepherds’ facilities. Those are already causing headaches for neighbours, said River Ward Coun. Riley Brockington, who brought forward the motion.

“Some of my residents are pushing back,” Brockington told reporters after Wednesday’s council meeting. “It’s really to get the Shepherds’ attention, to say ‘You need to invest in wraparound services for those residents who are coming out of the shelter system and collectively work with us on the issues that exist in the community.”

Brockington said there have been increased calls for police and emergency services to the area since the Shepherds’ opened up a third building on Merivale near Kirkwood Avenue last summer.

“These are people coming directly from the shelter system into residences in the community. You better have resources on-site to help them,” he said.

Brockington said the city has already acknowledged that it needs to spread supportive housing units out across the city so that they aren’t concentrated in the downtown, but he rejected that the motion was driven by NIMBYism. NIMBY stands for “Not in my backyard.”

“You don’t see me advocating to shut them down,” Brockington said. “You see me advocating for our new residents who come into the community that have high acuity, high needs, to have the support that they need.”

Somerset Ward Coun. Ariel Troster was one of seven councillors to vote against the motion.

“Supportive housing is the solution, not the problem,” Troster said, although she agreed on the need for social supports.

Clara Freire, director of community and social services, said the Brockington motion will be incorporated into city decisions on how the accelerator fund will be used after individual projects have been considered and designed.

“At that level, we will put in place an additional lens of community impact and make that part of our discussion with the proponents to ensure they have the property community engagement before advancing on a project,” Freire said.

“It’s an initial step, but not a roadblock.”

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-new...pproving-new-supportive-housing-projects

[DTcrawler]

I wonder when (if ever) we'll see one of these built in Kanata, Barrhaven, Orleans, RSS, Stittsville, etc.

[rocketphish]

Local groups get $9.5 million for supportive housing in Ottawa
The funding will support a total of three projects with Shepherds of Good Hope, Cornerstone Housing for Women and Ottawa Mission’s Florence Street Rooming House.

Abyssinia Abebe, Ottawa Citizen
Published May 22, 2024 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 2 minute read

In a move to tackle homelessness in Ottawa, the Ontario government has announced it will spend over $9.5 million on the development of more than 100 supportive housing units in the city.

The funding will support a total of three projects by Shepherds of Good Hope, Cornerstone Housing for Women and the Ottawa Mission’s Florence Street Rooming House, the province announced Wednesday. The aim of all three is to provide stable housing and comprehensive support services for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

“Increasing community, affordable, and supportive housing is a critical component of our goal to get at least 1.5 million new homes built by 2031, which will help all Ontarians, especially our most vulnerable, find a home that meets their needs,” said Paul Calandra, the province’s minister of municipal affairs and housing.

At 216 Murray Street, nearly $4.7 million will go to a Shepherds of Good Hope project creating 48 studio apartments, with at least 24 rooms reserved for Indigenous people and four for women.

The eight-storey building, located in the Lowertown neighbourhood, is to give residents access to a dining room with meals included, a lounge, on-site laundry and 24/7 staff support. The ground floor will feature a new community meal center and indoor/outdoor drop-in space open to the public, according to a news release from the province.

“There is a critical need for more non-market housing in our city, and we are proud to help fill that need with our new building on Murray Street,” said Stephen Bartolo, CEO of Shepherds of Good Hope, in a statement.

Cornerstone Housing for Women will get almost $4.2 million for a four-storey building at 44 Eccles Street that will include 46 studio apartments, each of them equipped with a private washroom and a kitchenette. Twelve units will be fully accessible. Residents of the new project will have access to staff support, health assistance, medication management, counselling, mental health services and other long-term housing essentials.

“This supportive housing residence is the truest expression of Cornerstone’s commitment to move women and gender-diverse adults from crisis to stability, healing, and hope. We believe everyone deserves a home in a community that supports them where they can live dignified lives,” said Kate Jackson, acting executive director of Cornerstone Housing for Women.

The third project, the Ottawa Mission’s Florence Street Rooming House, will get $700,000 to create eight units for people at risk of homelessness. The fully renovated building will include private or semi-private washrooms and a communal kitchen, along with shared laundry facilities and a backyard.

The $9.5 million for the three projects comes from the province’s Social Services Relief Fund, which has provided more than $1.2 billion to municipal service managers and Indigenous programs to “create longer-term housing solutions and help vulnerable people in Ontario, including those who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness,” the province said.

Ottawa has so far been allocated $100.4 million through all phases of the Social Services Relief Fund, the province said.

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-new...million-for-supportive-housing-in-ottawa

[rocketphish]

Quick purchase of housing for asylum seekers takes neighbours off guard
Nunnery off St. Joseph Boulevard in Ottawa would house 150 single adults

Elyse Skura · CBC News
Posted: Jul 05, 2024 4:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 5 hours ago



The City of Ottawa is poised to pay $11 million for a nunnery it plans to make into transitional housing, its latest purchase or lease to provide homes to the increasing number of newcomers to Ottawa and relieve pressure on overburdened shelters.

Members of the finance and corporate services committee approved the deal on Tuesday, days after homeowners around the property off St. Joseph Boulevard in east Ottawa found out about it.

"There wasn't a lot of time to deliberate. We were under the time frame of the vendor," Robin Souchen, the city's manager of realty services, explained to councillors.

"If we don't approve this the deal will die, as all offers made do, and the vendors can go to the next bid. And there were multiple bids."

The city had to compete against private bidders and raised its initial $10-million offer by $1 million at the urging of the seller, the Sisters of Charity.

"It's quite true that we were finding out about this as a community very quickly," said Orléans West-Innes Coun. Laura Dudas, who represents the area. "There's a good reason for that."

Dudas said many people she's spoken with expressed support for newcomers, while others felt blindsided.

Because of the sale's quick timeline there has so far not been any fulsome community consultation, but staff said they plan to host information sessions and an open house over the coming months.

"Everybody is committed to making sure that the newcomers that we will be welcoming to Canada and to our community are well integrated into the Orléans community," said Paul Lavigne, the city's director of housing services.

The city's struggle to accommodate newcomers came to the forefront last year when shelters noted a surge they could not properly support.

Since that time, the city has bought two properties to help take the pressure off that system and the temporary shelters set up in community centres.

A former retirement home in Crystal Beach is now housing families, while a vacant office tower on downtown Queen Street is set to accommodate 130 single people. This site would house about 150 singles.

"Right now, the steps that we've taken so far, we haven't been able to keep up with the demand," Mayor Mark Sutcliffe told CBC after Tuesday's meeting.

"We're experiencing new arrivals coming to our city like we've never seen before in the history of our community. So we need to act quickly."

A report from city staff noted that, as of May, there's been a 55 per cent increase in people using the single adult shelter system compared to 2023. Of that population, 64 per cent are called newcomer clients.

The 10.5-hectare lot on St. Joseph Boulevard at the intersection with Forest Valley and Youville drives was described by staff as secluded, with a lot of tree cover on all sides. Less than half of the area is suitable for development.

Its size is a key reason for the high price, staff told councillors, though the city has no immediate plans for selling or further developing other parts of the site.

"There is an opportunity here … when you look at the long term," said River ward Coun. Riley Brockington, noting the "precarious position" the quick turnaround creates for the local councillor.

"Anytime we make decisions which may impact communities without first going out to the community, we are going to be criticized."

All of the seven written submissions and one in-person delegation to the committee were against the purchase.

Common concerns were the lack of consultation, potential effect on property values, changes to the neighbourhood's character and uncertainty over the new residents.

While several pointed to their experiences with nearby supportive housing for people with addictions and mental health issues, Lavigne said this housing would be entirely different and focus on giving a temporary place for asylum claimants to put a "foot down" in the city before transitioning to permanent accommodations.

The committee approved the purchase with only Orléans East-Cumberland Coun. Matt Luloff dissenting.

If council also gives the green light, the city will move ahead with closing procedures, including an environmental assessment that must be completed by mid-October.

On top of the $11 million purchase price, staff expect $350,000 in taxes and closing costs. They told councillors the purchase should be covered under the federal government's Interim Housing Assistance Program (IHAP).

Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada told CBC it has so far reimbursed Ottawa for $58.3 million in eligible expenses incurred by temporarily housing asylum claimants.

City staff remain in negotiation for funding to create a specialized new welcoming centre.

"While IHAP has not been historically used to reimburse capital expenses, IRCC is currently working closely with partners to transition the program from an emergency response to supporting jurisdictions in building more permanent and sustainable interim housing solutions," spokesperson Remi Lariviere said in an emailed statement.

Regardless of the challenges, Sutcliffe said the city needs to act quickly and decisively.

"We've always been a community that has welcomed new arrivals," he said. "We have to continue to do that."

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-housing-asylum-seeker-purchase-nunnery-1.7254073

[rocketphish]

Another site available for future social housing redevelopment, which I suppose is what Luloff is concerned about being voted-out over.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

Another site available for future social housing redevelopment, which I suppose is what Luloff is concerned about being voted-out over.

He's running for Skippy's Federal Cons in 2025, so I don't think he cares about his Council seat, unless he loses the Federal election.

[J.OT13]

City of Gatineau is on board with DevCore and Transition Québec's "Village de Transition" at the old Guertin site.


https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/208...0situ%C3%A9%20%C3%A0%20cet%20emplacement.

[rocketphish]

City plans to use empty office space for transitional housing
Leasing and retrofitting nearly 30,000 square feet of disused office space will cost close to $6M

Elyse Skura · CBC News
Posted: Mar 07, 2024 10:41 AM EST | Last Updated: March 7



Ottawa city councillors have approved a plan to spend nearly $6 million to convert vacant downtown office space into transitional housing, ensuring recreational centres serving as makeshift shelters can reopen for community use this winter.

The nearly 30,000 square feet of space at 230 Queen St. will eventually provide shelter and support to 130 people, with a particular focus on asylum seekers.

"It'll be targeting single newcomers and the intention is to work with the community agency to run that service to ensure that people who come seeking asylum in Ottawa are getting a soft place to land and the services they need," said Somerset Coun. Ariel Troster, who introduced the motion at Wednesday's city council meeting.

The city has negotiated a 10-year lease, with the first five years costing $4.38 million. Another $1.48 million will be spent on retrofitting the open concept space to include amenities such as showers.

"It's not [being made] into permanent housing. It's [being made] into transitional housing," explained Troster. "But, it's bringing us closer to the goals that we established in returning community centres for recreational use."

<more>

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ci...space-for-transitional-housing-1.7135920

[rocketphish]

Site near Nepean Sportsplex chosen for asylum seeker 'welcoming centre'
Knoxdale-Merivale councillor believes community will support newcomers

Elyse Skura · CBC News
Posted: Nov 08, 2024 7:34 AM EST | Last Updated: November 16



A large, tent-like structure to shelter and support asylum seekers seems destined for the Nepean Sportsplex area, according to Ottawa city staff, with another headed to Kanata South if necessary.

A memo issued late Thursday indicated the first "welcoming centre" could be open by the end of 2025.

The sites aim to ease the substantial pressure on Ottawa's shelter systems caused by a recent influx of people who come to Canada for refuge.

A form of tent-like structure — such as those made by the Sprung company — were deemed most suitable, because of cost and the speed with which they can be put into use.

<more>

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/sprung-structure-tent-ottawa-asylum-seeker-1.7377607

[rocketphish]

This converted office building will open as housing early next year
City says renovation at 230 Queen St. will wrap in February, house up to 143 people

Rebecca Zandbergen · CBC News
Posted: Dec 13, 2024 4:00 AM EST | Last Updated: 2 hours ago



The City of Ottawa will open its first office-to-housing conversion early next year.

Construction crews have been renovating the one-time movie theatre turned office building at 230 Queen St. since the summer, under the design supervision of Ottawa's CSV Architect. The building had been vacant for five years.

Once the renovation is finished, it will house up to 143 individuals, many of whom are likely to be new Canadians, on three floors in an open-concept space with sleeping pods with half walls, shared cafeterias, washrooms and seating areas. People will also have access to caseworkers to assist them in landing more permanent housing.

<more>

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/th...pen-as-housing-early-next-year-1.7407301

[rocketphish]

Gatineau shipping container village welcomes first residents
Community to provide housing for 100 people who are currently homeless

Nathan Fung, Campbell MacDiarmid · CBC News
Posted: Dec 24, 2024 9:26 AM EST | Last Updated: December 24



A new shipping container village in Gatineau, Que., aimed at reducing homelessness welcomed its first seven residents days before Christmas.

The shipping container community, dubbed Village Transitiôn, is located on a parking lot adjacent to the former Robert-Guertin Centre. It will eventually provide housing for 100 people who are currently homeless.

Development for the community was spearheaded by Gatineau land developer Devcore, which announced the project in May. The non-profit group Transitiôn Québec is managing the project.

Gaétan Bondu, a homeless man who had been living in a tent for more than six months, moved into the village Monday. He will be living in the new unit with his 12-year-old dog.

"Without it, I would have been in a canvas tent. It's more demoralizing than anything else. Now, in an apartment, at least it gives you a bit of autonomy," Bondu said in French.

"It's definitely a transition, it's to help us move on."

Nancy Martineau, executive director of Transitiôn Quebec and former director of humanitarian projects for Devcore, called the project the first of its kind in the province.

"The one who is going to move here are really happy. They enjoy to have a nice place because they're going to be in security. It's going to be warm," said Martineau.

She said the shipping container community offers people experiencing homelessness more flexibility, such as being able to keep pets.


<more>

With files from Charlotte Tremblay

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ga...llage-welcomes-first-residents-1.7417905

[rocketphish]

Cost of building tent-like migrant shelter pegged at $15M
City sets 1-year timeline for contractor to design and build Sprung structure for asylum seekers

Arthur White-Crummey · CBC
Posted: Jan 14, 2025 12:01 PM EST | Last Updated: 3 hours ago



The City of Ottawa has found a contractor to design and build a tent-like structure to shelter migrants, with an estimated price tag of up to $15 million.

In a post on the city's online public consultation portal Engage Ottawa on Tuesday, the city said BLT Construction Services is the only available and qualified vendor to provide a "Sprung Instant Structure" that will house a newcomer reception centre.

Sprung Structures is a leading manufacturer of tensile fabric structures that can be quickly built and customized. BLT would oversee the design of the structure, as well its construction and interior fit-up.

The city has issued an advanced contract award notification, which signals its intent to award the contract to BLT, but also gives other potential bidders two weeks to show they, too, can meet the requirements.

According to the notice, the city expects it will take about one year to complete the project from the time it awards the contract, raising the prospect that it might not be done in time for next winter.

The newcomer reception centre is slated to go up on land near the Nepean Sportsplex. The plan has proved controversial, triggering competing protests and a tense public information session.

<more>

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/asylum-seeker-nepean-ottawa-structure-tent-sprung-1.7430714

[rocketphish]

Councillor looks to speed up looser zoning rules for shelters
Motion asks for quick bylaw change to allow emergency shelters to open almost anywhere

Arthur White-Crummey · CBC News
Posted: Jan 22, 2025 4:00 AM EST | Last Updated: 6 hours ago

A city councillor wants to speed up proposed zoning changes that would allow emergency shelters to open anywhere in urban Ottawa.

The change is already part of a draft zoning bylaw, but a final version of that bylaw won't actually come to council for a vote until the end of the year. In the meantime, Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper worries the current rules could slow down desperately needed projects.

"I hear rumours about funding that could become available to, for example, acquire small properties in order to house newcomers," Leiper said. "Right now, in some parts of the city, that would be allowed without any application, without any public process. In other parts of the city, I would suggest most, it's going to require a rezoning."

That rezoning process can be lengthy and expensive, since it requires applicants to pay a fee and argue their case before the city's planning and housing committee, which Leiper chairs.

The current zoning bylaw has five different types of residential zones, but shelters are only permitted in the densest one, as well as institutional zones and some commercial areas.

The changes in the draft zoning bylaw would permit shelters in "all urban zones and designations" as of right, meaning they could proceed everywhere, except in rural areas, without a rezoning application.

<more>

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/co...oser-zoning-rules-for-shelters-1.7436990

[rocketphish]

Council moves to allow shelters across urban and suburban Ottawa
Motion speeds up change already planned to roll out late this year

Elyse Skura · CBC News
Posted: Feb 13, 2025 4:00 AM EST | Last Updated: 10 hours ago

Ottawa city councillors have passed a motion to accelerate the loosening of zoning rules for shelters in all but rural communities, despite a few holdouts on council who worry about stifling public dissent.

The new comprehensive zoning bylaw is already moving in that direction. But many councillors worried about waiting until the fall to make a change that would help the city respond to a housing and homelessness crisis.

"Our last point-in-time count shows that there's 3,000 people experiencing homelessness in the city. That includes people from every single corner of the city, from Barrhaven, from Orléans, from Nepean, from everywhere you could possibly imagine," said Somerset Coun. Ariel Troster during Wednesday's council meeting.

<more>

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/co...ross-urban-and-suburban-ottawa-1.7457401

[rocketphish]

YMCA reinvests in Argyle Avenue location to provide housing

By Shaun Vardon, CTV News
Published: March 06, 2025 at 6:53AM EST

<snip>

Not that long ago, this Argyle Avenue haven for newcomers and people from all walks of life was up for sale. The YMCA had decided it was time to move on. That changed with the explosion of people who are unhoused in the Capital.

According to city statistics, almost 3,000 people are looking for a home. That number grew by hundreds in just a few years. Seeing that need, the YMCA decided to take the for sale sign off the building and convert unused space into new kitchens, washrooms and units. The Taggart Argyle YMCA now has room for 250 youth and adults, with plans to expand. It now provides transitional and supportive housing to people in transition from homelessness, newcomers to Canada, and those living with physical, mental and/or substance use health challenges.

Trevor McAlmont, the president and CEO of the YMCA National Capital Region, said the decision to keep the building serving the community was easy.

“We are needed here in Centretown. Our services here in Centretown remain vitally important and the building which we own can still meet that need,” McAlmont said. “We have case management support, life skill support, we are addressing mental health issues we are addressing whatever substance abuse challenges they have we have 24-hour staffing support around the clock.”

As part of the YMCA’s new 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, increasing their impact and access in the downtown core remains a priority. The Y is in discussions with funders for grants to upgrade more areas of the building. The facility currently offers four programs to support residents and eventually move them from the Argyle building into permanent housing.

According to the National Capital Region YMCA, the transitional housing program provides safe, temporary homes for more than 150 individuals aged 18+ who are at risk of homelessness or living in unstable or unsafe housing.

The youth housing program (also called The Second Stage Housing Program for Youth) provides supportive housing for 17 youth aged 16 to 24 who are unable to live at home, homeless, or at risk of being homeless. These youth need assistance building life skills as they move toward independence.

The supportive housing program is for approximately 40 individuals aged 18+ who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and need support to move on to permanent housing. This is for those living with mental health and substance use issues.

Monthly supportive housing rooms are for approximately 30 longer-term tenants, including individuals in transition from being unhoused, those fleeing unsafe or unstable housing, newcomers to Canada, and individuals coping with issues related to physical, mental and/or substance use health. This program is not taking new applicants at this time.

If you’d like to know more about the services offered at The Taggart Argyle YMCA, you can follow the link here.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/ymca-reinvests-in-argyle-street-location-to-provide-housing/