Newcomer Reception Centres: What You Need to Know

The City of Ottawa is proposing up to two potential locations for newcomer reception centres.  Construction will take place at the primary site, 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 funding and other factors. We understand that residents may have questions about this project, and we are committed to addressing them throughout the process.   Reception centres are new to our community and may bring uncertainty. We are listening carefully and appreciate feedback on the experiences migrants and asylum seekers may have at these facilities, as well as any potential impact on the surrounding neighbourhoods.  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.   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.  Why is the City building reception centres for migrants and asylum seekers?   The City of Ottawa is building reception centres to respond to the significant increase in newcomers to our city, including asylum seekers and migrants. There are currently around 600 single adult newcomers in the shelter system. This accounts for 60 per cent of clients, placing considerable strain on resources.  Newcomers are currently staying in recreation and community centres, including on arena floors or in bleachers, or sleeping overnight in shelters.   Dedicated reception centres will provide newcomers with a more comfortable and dignified welcome to our city. This includes extensive on-site services to help them transition into more permanent housing. Supporting newcomers at reception centres will also return recreation and community centres back to the community.  Could the City try other options instead?  Reception centres are not the only solution that the City is pursuing to provide temporary shelter for newcomers.   The centres are part of a broader strategy that includes using brick and mortar buildings as transitional housing. This includes the Taggart Family YMCA and a former nunnery at 1754 St. Joseph Blvd. The City also plans to buy up to 20 four-to-five-bedroom homes across Ottawa to be used as newcomer transitional housing.  This plan was developed in close collaboration with settlement agencies and service providers to ensure it meets the needs of newcomers.  Who will be using the centres?  The centres will house and support refugee claimants, asylum seekers, and migrants resettling in Ottawa. Up to two centres will have a combined capacity of 300 single adult newcomers.  How long will people live in them?   Clients will stay at the centres for up to 90 days. If permanent housing has not been secured by then, they will move to transitional housing facilities or smaller reception homes across Ottawa.  Why aren’t the facilities in areas with better access to services?   The centres will provide extensive on-site services to meet the settlement needs of newcomers.  The centres will offer services to effectively transition into our community – including employment, interpretation and translation services; individualized case management for work permits, status hearings and benefits; trauma support; and more.  These services will be delivered by experienced settlement agencies involved in the project’s planning and design.  Why is the City using temporary structures instead of permanent buildings?   The City, with input from third-party experts, evaluated multiple options and considered factors such as cost, construction speed, and effectiveness. Based on this analysis, tensile membrane structures were recommended as the best solution.  These structures offer customizable interiors with features like windows, corridors, and vestibules to meet the needs of newcomers and service providers.  Most critically, they can be built quickly to relieve pressure on shelters and allow recreation centres to be returned to normal use.  Tensile membrane structures can also be repurposed for a variety of future uses.   Other building types, such as mass timber and modular construction, were also considered. These options were not selected for reasons including cost, design flexibility and construction timelines.  How did the City choose the locations for the centres?   The City began with over 90 potential locations and narrowed the list to two based on engineering, construction needs, transit access, and walkability. Sites were excluded if they were too small or located near heavy industrial areas, power lines or sensitive environmental areas, among other reasons.   Additional details about this process were provided to members of City Council on November 7.  Why is this only for newcomers?   The journey of resettling in a new country is complex and poses unique challenges, particularly for those fleeing violence and hardships.   Newcomers benefit significantly from tailored resettlement services. By offering these services on-site, we can better support a newcomer’s transition to life in Ottawa.  This approach also relieves pressure on the emergency shelter system, creating more space for all clients in need of shelter and social services.  Why isn’t the City building more permanent housing?  The City is actively working to build new affordable housing to help all residents find a home that suits their needs.  In 2023 alone, the City of Ottawa helped build or deliver: 

• 716 new housing options.  

• 106 new affordable and supportive housing units.  

• 610 new housing benefits. 

Another 831 affordable and supportive housing units were under construction and an additional 849 were in the pre-development stage.  How will this project be paid for?   For over a year, the City has been in discussions with Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada for federal funding to create a permanent and sustainable newcomer welcome and reception system in Ottawa.   The City will request formal commitment for funding for the Newcomer Reception System once the final sites and building plans are confirmed  When will they open?   Pending funding, the centres could open by the end of 2025. We will continue to provide updates as this project progresses.  What will happen if the structures are no longer needed to support newcomers?  The structures can be converted for other uses if they are no longer needed to support the newcomer reception system. The community would be engaged about other potential uses and conversion options.   How can I weigh in on this project?  Residents can participate in public consultations during the site plan application process for the Nepean site. Additional consultations will be held for the Kanata site if construction at that location is needed.  We are looking for your perspective on what the City can do to make the newcomer reception centres work in the community. We invite you to share your feedback and suggestions with us on our Engage Ottawa page.