My office in conjunction with city staff will be engaging with the local neighbourhood and community partners on Wednesday November 1, through a virtual information meeting, to discuss the City of Ottawa leasing the former retirement home facility at 1 Corkstown Road.
On November 7, the City of Ottawa’s Finance and Corporate Services Committee will consider a report to give staff the authority to enter into a lease for 1 Corkstown Road to use this site to temporarily house families with children while more long-term housing options are found.
The City is leasing the facility at 1 Corkstown Road, previously used as a retirement home, to operate as a Transitional Housing facility for families who are homeless. Securing this facility will help ensure the family shelter system has sufficient space to serve families that need support.
The site is a cost-effective approach that provides more opportunities for onsite programming and supports to transition families to long-term housing.
The terms of lease will be reported to Council and made public once the lease is approved. To ensure the fairness of the lease agreement and negotiations, it is necessary to keep some details private.
Input from partners and residents is welcome. To provide input:
- Submit written comments to melinda.aston@ottawa.ca by 4:00 pm on November 6.
- Make an in person or virtual presentation at the November 7 Finance and Corporate Services Committee Meeting. Register by phone at 613-580-2424 x21838 prior to 4:00 pm on November 6, or email melinda.aston@ottawa.ca no later than 8:30 am on November 7.
Why wasn’t the neighbourhood involved before now?
Entering into lease negotiations is an operational (staff) decision and guided by the City of Ottawa’s Leasing Policy and Delegated Authority Bylaw. Committee and Council approves a lease when the total value of lease is greater than what staff are permitted to negotiate. It is at this point that a proposed lease is made public.
At any given point, the City is exploring multiple leases or purchases, many of which do not work out. It is not feasible to engage the community prior to confirming that the City may move ahead, which is typically marked by the start of lease discussions. To participate in the virtual community information meeting on November 7th please RSVP here (link to sign up will be added)
What is transitional housing?
Transitional housing provides onsite programming with a residential component, as well as supports.
Supports include:
- life skills training
- newcomer supports (e.g. interpretation services, help to find a job, employment training, help with immigration process)
- education
- access to financialassistance as well as community agencies, etc.
City of Ottawa staff are on site 24 hours a day/7 days a week. This will include providing help and assistance to families in their day to day living, while working directly with families to obtain more long-term suitable housing for them as soon as possible.
Every night, approximately 330 families are experiencing homelessness in our city. Families who are homeless are offered financial support to rent an apartment or house. City and community partners continue to build affordable housing and provide new and ongoing housing assistance to prevent homelessness.
From the beginning of 2022 to August 2023, 840 families moved from homelessness to long-term housing.
I appreciate all of the work that the City is doing in exploring opportunities for safe accommodations to house families in need.
If you would like to participate in the community information session on November 1 please sign up here. I hope residents will join me in supporting those in need and welcome them into our community.
Additional information can be found here.
