Newcomer Reception Centres: Hearing your comments and questions

The City of Ottawa is working with partners to tackle the housing challenges that many are facing across our city. There are a multitude of actions taking place to help those who are struggling to find a home. Two community centres are currently being used as emergency overflow centres offering individuals with safe sheltering space until they move to transitional (temporary) or permanent housing. This is not sustainable for those who live there, nor for the residents who have lost their community space. As a solution, the City is moving towards building more dignified facilities that free up community centres and prevents the need for other community centres to be used. These facilities, called 'newcomer reception centres', will focus on asylum claimants who are just arriving in the city and have not yet found a home. The first newcomer reception centre is planned to be built on federal lands next to the Confederation Education Centre by the end of 2025.  A second building has been proposed in Kanata, but it is dependent on securing funding through the federal government and other factors. We understand how the news of the reception centres immediately raised a lot of questions about its purpose and its impact on their respective communities. As a result, we opened a dedicated page on Engage Ottawa and invited residents to provide their feedback. We are providing some facts and information below to cover what we heard from you.   The use of newcomer reception centres The newcomer reception centres are fully customizable, durable structures similar to conventional buildings, with plumbing, a heating and cooling system and kitchen amenities. They are temporary accommodations for asylum claimants who haven’t been able to find a place to stay.  Women and men over 18 years old, including singles, couples or adult family members will be supported for up to 90 days before moving into transitional or permanent housing.   Asylum claimants seek protection in Canada An asylum claimant is someone who is seeking refugee protection (asylum) in Canada. A person can claim asylum at a port of entry or at an inland office if they have already entered Canada. Asylum claimants arrive in our country through these channels that are managed by the federal government. These federal agencies conduct a screening of all asylum claimants.   Asylum claimants supported with essential services onsite To remove potential barriers to access, including travel, the newcomer reception centres bring all the services asylum claimants need under one roof. These specific and dedicated in-house services help transition these individuals to transitional housing or toward permanent housing while they wait for their claim to be assessed. They include:

• Interpretation and translation services
• Individualized case management status hearings and benefits
• Trauma support
• Assistance with work permits, employment, job preparation, and other services.

These are just a few important services that are provided on-site to support asylum claimants, building a secure and healthy foundation to contribute and share their pride and passion in a city they can call home.     Impacts on the community without the newcomer reception centres The post-pandemic economy and housing shortage has impacted every facet in our community – making it difficult for many people in our city to have a place to call home. This has resulted in more residents experiencing homelessness. At the same time, we have recently experienced a significant increase of asylum claimants who are also experiencing homelessness accessing the shelter system. This increase, compounded by the rising number of people experiencing homelessness, has created capacity issues in the shelter system. The newcomer reception centres relieve pressure on the emergency shelter system, creating more space for all clients in need of shelter and social services. The newcomer reception centres also help the City needing to use community centres, arenas and other recreation spaces to shelter asylum claimants. These facilities are not designed to provide proper accommodations. It also takes away valuable community space for sporting, recreation and cultural programs and activities.   In addition to providing feedback online, the City is planning to hold in-person information sessions Public information sessions for the proposed locations are being organized. The first session is planned for Wednesday, December 4 at 6 pm in Halls A and B of the Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Avenue. This session is specific to the site planned for Nepean and will provide residents an opportunity to meet, converse and ask questions of various subject matter experts. Residents can also provide their feedback on EngageOttawa. An information session for the site in Kanata is being planned, as needed, in the new year.   Continue to learn more and ask your questions If you want more information on the newcomer reception centres, you can visit our Engage Ottawa page. You can also check out our previous stories where we answer some of the most frequently asked questions.

• Newcomer Reception Centres: What You Need to Know
• Newcomer Reception Centres: Your questions answered Part1

We encourage everyone to follow our series of articles and continue to ask questions at Engage Ottawa. Together, we can continue the tradition of being a welcoming city. For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.