IMPORTANT: please refer to the new Kanata and Nepean petition https://www.change.org/p/say-no-to-sprung-structures-in-kanata-or-ottawa-and-surroundings

BARRHAVEN, Thank you for your support! Your signatures on the petition and attendance at the rally made a significant impact - our voices were heard loud and clear! This is a major achievement.

However, our work is not done yet. We must continue to support our neighbours in Nepean, Kanata, and all of Ottawa.

It is evident that the Mayor has made the issue of Sprung Shelters a citywide concern. The Mayor and city staff are unilaterally deciding where to place Sprung Shelters without consulting the community. This issue is not going away anytime soon. It is clear that they have the power to change their plans at any moment and could add 10 more shelters in new locations. It is imperative that you take action and stay involved. It is crucial that we send a clear message to the Mayor that his lack of transparency and accountability towards the residents of Ottawa is unacceptable.

Stay involved by signing a new petition and participating in upcoming rallies. Let's keep the momentum going and make a difference in our community!

https://www.change.org/p/say-no-to-sprung-structures-in-kanata-or-ottawa-and-surroundings

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Petition from the Residents of Barrhaven: NO TENTS & NOT IN BARRHAVEN

To: Mayor Sutcliffe
Cc: Ward Councillors Hill and Lo

Subject: Concerns Regarding Proposed Asylum Shelter in Barrhaven

Dear Mayor Sutcliffe and Councillors Hill and Lo,

We, the residents of Barrhaven, are writing to express our concerns regarding the proposed establishment of a tent facility to temporarily house single adult refugees in our community. While we understand the need for humanitarian assistance, we believe it is essential to find a more humane solution in a more appropriate location: No to Tents and NOT in Barrhaven.

1. Capacity and Turnover: The proposed tent facility is designed to accommodate 150 single adult asylum seekers at any given time. This setup indicates a regular inflow and outflow of individuals, raising serious concerns about the impact on our community.

2. Long-term Viability: The current extended trial period for asylum seekers, of up to 2 years, raises significant concerns, as there is no adequate housing available in Ottawa for them after their cases are processed. This suggests that the tent will not serve its intended temporary purpose.

3. Duration of Presence: The estimated life cycle of the Sprung Shelter product indicates that this tent will remain in place for 25-40 years, especially given the massive cost to purchase, service and assemble it. We are in a housing crisis. This Highbury Park and Nepean Woods locations, both in the heart of Barrhaven and must be used for the expedient development of high-density, transit-oriented homes.

4. Overflow Facility: The proposed tent could also act as an overflow facility for other services, including homeless shelters. This will lead to a further strain on our community's resources. We do not have the community infrastructure and services to support this use.

5. Lack of Transparency with the Process: Members of our community have been asking for the full list of properties under consideration as well as the scoring matrix used to create the list since early July 2024. We now know that a third party has been hired by the City to assess a second, new list. Release both lists and the scoring criteria matrix now.

We urge you to consider these points carefully and engage with the community to provide transparency and address our concerns. We believe it is vital for residents to be involved in discussions that impact our neighborhood's future.

Sincerely,

The Residents of Barrhaven