City of Ottawa converts unused office space to interim housing for asylum seekers

By Canadian Press on July 3, 2025.

OTTAWA — The City of Ottawa has converted an unused downtown office space into transitional housing for 140 asylum seekers.

It’s the first major project the city has undertaken to turn office space into temporary housing, something cities across Canada are pursuing as they grapple with a countrywide housing crisis.

The project uses modular walls to set up separate rooms — each with a bed, a storage locker and a chair — along with shared kitchens, office spaces and meeting rooms.

The local Catholic Centre for Immigrants says 35 staff members will offer residents food and help with finding permanent housing and work.

The project is being launched months after the city backed down from a plan to house refugee claimants in two large suburban tent structures, which attracted loud opposition.

Downtown councillor Ariel Troster says the project offers much more supports than transitional shelters and could help newcomers integrate better into society.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 3, 2025.

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press