Councillors approve land for new Inuit women's shelter in Ottawa's south end
The City of Ottawa is selling a piece of land in Ottawa's south end to the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition to build a new transitional housing building for Inuit women and their children.
The Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition wants to build a shelter with 28-34 beds on Forestglade Crescent, supporting women and their children affected by domestic abuse or facing homelessness.
Councillors on the finance and corporate services committee approved a proposal to declare the site as surplus and sell the property to the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition "for nominal consideration" to develop the new facility.
"The site at 250 Forestglade Crescent is ideal for this use because of its proximity to transit and parks," staff said. "As well, it is in a quiet residential neighbourhood, which is beneficial for the women and their children as it allows for privacy and safety."
The Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition says the new shelter will provide a "community led, wrap around supportive environment."
"The Shelter will strengthen Inuit families, including supporting Inuit women to function independently with your children, in a healthy way free from violence and the continued effects of intergenerational trauma," the coalition said. "The community-oriented space will be a space to break the cycle of abuse with women supporting women and the community supporting women and children."
Officials say the new facility will be open to community members for up to six months, and there will be programming on site for counselling, employment and training support and child welfare support.
Some residents in the Hunt Club neighbourhood have raised concerns about the plans to build the shelter in the neighbourhood.
One resident told the committee that while transitional housing is important for the city, residents are wondering if the city looked at other options for the land.
"I think what we're just a little bit concerned that what ends up coming there is something that may detract from our neighbourhood as opposed to benefiting the neighbourhood," the resident said, adding residents weren't consulted on the plans.
At a community meeting in April 23, residents wondered if the neighbourhood has enough supports for transitional housing.
"I'm concerned about the women coming into the community that does not have a hospital near them, that does not have a grocery store near them," Marina Bossio said.
"What kind of security are we going to have in the neighbourhood? What kind of supervision is there going to be over the site? How are issues going to be dealt with," Bernard Ouellet asked.
The goal is to have the building ready by 2027.
With files from CTV News Ottawa's Shaun Vardon
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa driver who appeared to be racing another vehicle on Highway 416 facing charges
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says an Ottawa driver is facing charges after being caught going 187 km/h on Highway 416.
Helicopter carrying Iran's hard-line president apparently crashes in foggy, mountainous region
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and other officials apparently crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday, sparking a massive rescue operation in a fog-shrouded forest as the public was urged to pray.
Canadian immigration asks medical worker fleeing Gaza if he treated Hamas fighters
Lawyers are questioning Canada’s approach to screening visa applications for people in Gaza with extended family in Canada after one applicant, a medical worker, was asked whether he had treated members of Hamas.
4 homes lost due to wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C.
A wildfire burning near Fort Nelson, B.C., completely destroyed four homes and damaged six more properties, according to an update from the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
BREAKING NEWS 'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
French security forces work to regain control of airport highway in violence-scorched New Caledonia
Using armoured vehicles and backhoes to shove aside charred barricades, French security forces worked Sunday to retake control of the highway to the international airport in violence-scorched New Caledonia, shuttered because of deadly unrest wracking the French Pacific archipelago where indigenous people have long sought independence from France.
Diddy admits beating ex-girlfriend Cassie, says he's sorry, calls his actions 'inexcusable'
Sean 'Diddy' Combs admitted Sunday that he beat his ex-girlfriend in a hotel hallway in 2016 after CNN released video of the attack, saying in a video apology he was 'truly sorry' and his actions were 'inexcusable.'