City looks to federal budget for millions to house, support asylum seekers

The City of Ottawa is looking for $32.6 million from the federal government to build and operate a new welcoming centre, which would provide support to refugees and asylum seekers amid an unprecedented strain on the city's shelter system.

It's near the top of Mayor Mark Sutcliffe's wishlist for Tuesday's federal budget, which also includes money for the city's cash-strapped public transit service and ailing downtown.

The city is facing challenges in housing the rising number of people seeking asylum in Canada, Sutcliffe explained to reporters on Friday.

«We'd love to hear from the federal government on funding for a welcoming centre for those individuals who are arriving in the city,» he said.

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Staff outlined the cost of the new reception centre in a response to a councillor inquiry attached to the agenda for next week's community services meeting.

The proposal suggests a fulsome series of «wrap-around» supports, with a goal of diverting asylum seekers from the traditional shelter system and transitioning single asylum seekers into supportive, long-term housing within six months.

The city has requested $12 million from Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for capital costs, and another $20.6 million over two years to cover operations. But staff noted they're working on updates.

Long-term solutions needed, say advocates

Shelters have been overflowing for months.

The issue gained widespread attention last year when the Ottawa Mission reported a surge that filled the shelter well beyond capacity, forcing many newcomers to spend their initial nights in Canada