The City of Ottawa may soon erect tent-like “sprung structures” to deal with its “unprecedented levels of irregular migration,” according to a new memo from city staff to Ottawa’s mayor and city councillors.
City employees have identified three parcels of land where the sprung structures could be potentially located. Each structure could house 150 beds and would come with a number of customization options.
The sprungs would feature aluminum arches connected to an “all-weather outer architectural membrane.”
“These semi-permanent structures are not like emergency tents used in disaster response. Interiors and exteriors are customizable,” wrote Clara Freire, general manager of community and social services in the memo to council.
“Interiors can be constructed with washrooms, offices, kitchens and sleeping space. The structures are designed to be fully compliant with local building and fire codes.”
According to Freire, sprung structures have been used to house homeless people in over 80 communities in the United States. They have minimal foundation requirements and can be easily relocated.
The city has not confirmed where these structures will be located yet but did say that they would not be ready until next year at the earliest.
The memo indicated that the city has been engaged in “active discussions” with the federal government to receive approximately $105 million in funding for the project
Some councillors have expressed concern over the proposed plan, with one moving a motion to rescind the staff’s authority to review and implement such options.
Coun. Wilson Lo introduced a motion to quash the plan, which he said would cost millions of dollars without any council oversight or public consultation.
“Using sprung structures sets us five steps back,” Lo told council. “We’re basically shuffling newcomers within the shelter system into something that looks quite different. It’s still a shelter in a temporary structure.”
Lo said he didn’t believe that the sprung structures offered a legitimate long term solution to the problem in an interview with a local radio station.
“They are quality structures…It’s a shelter in the end, we’re not actually putting them into permanent housing to let them succeed,” said Lo on Newstalk 580 CFRA last week.
Lo also took issue with the 12 to 18 month timeline for building the sprung structures, pointing out that other communities have managed to build and open facilities offering more permanent housing in under a year.
“I can’t wrap my head around why we can’t pursue the permanent, proper solution and add to our housing stock at the same time, rather than something that is temporary,” Lo said.
His motion was ultimately voted down by council, who believed that the problem demanded an urgent response.
“The idea is to get everybody a permanent home, but the numbers are so huge. We need to put people in place. We need a place for people to arrive. We need a reception centre,” said Coun. Marty Carr in an interview on Newstalk 580 CFRA.
The City of Ottawa referred True North back to the memo when asked to comment.